$200K Worth Of Puppies Taken From GA Pet Stores

METRO ATLANTA, GA — Dozens of puppies worth more than $200,000 have been stolen from several Petland stores across metro Atlanta.

WAGA-TV Fox 5 reported that the purebred puppies were taken from five stores since last month, including four Petland locations in Rome, Kennesaw, Dunwoody, and Columbus.

Rome Police Capt. Roy Willingham told the station that a rock was thrown through the front window of the Rome store and took 11 puppies, ranging in price from $2,800 to $7,200.

"Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Great Dane, Yorkshire Terriers, all breeds, but purebred," Willingham told the station. "No idea what they're doing with these puppies, I'm assuming they're going to sell them on the black market somewhere, or flea market, or online."

Petland told the station that more than 40 puppies have been taken, valuing about $200,000. Store representatives told the station that they're increasing security, but are also worried about the puppies who need vaccines and proper nutrition.

In Gwinnett County, its store had 19 puppies stolen, totaling about $60,000.

A lot of similarities have occurred between the robberies, including money taken from a register or safe.