Stolen Shropshire puppies were stashed inside hoodie, court told
A dog keeper was captured on CCTV putting puppies into his hoodie before they went missing from a farm, a court has heard.
David Burdis – who denies theft – told Shrewsbury Crown Court the film of him and an unnamed man scooping the seven miniature dachshund puppies out of two closed boxes was filmed as he moved them to a clean pen.
The following morning dog breeder Marcia Jones, who runs the farm at The Old Crematorium at Sleap, near Wem, discovered the puppies had gone, the court heard.
Two of the puppies, which were micro-chipped and vaccinated, were found in Aylesbury and Nottingham, the court heard, but investigations had not led back to Burdis.
Rupert Jones, prosecuting, said the farm had several cameras which had also captured the number plate of Burdis's vehicle.
Mrs Jones said she discovered the theft the next morning, December 15, 2013, when she realised all but one of her eight puppies were missing. She said she had checked on the puppies the night before and assumed they were asleep in their boxes.
The court heard Burdis, 68, visited the farm in response to an ad for a dog for sale. Mrs Jones said she had been with another woman discussing the sale of a horse when the thefts occurred.
The prosecution said Burdis had two interviews with police and gave no comment in both.
Giving evidence, Burdis, of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said he had wanted to tell his side of the story but had been told by his solicitor to make no comment on both occasions – a decision he described as "foolish".
Charles Hamer, for Burdis, said his client would have been aware he was on camera, having driven past a CCTV sign. Burdis said he and his friend were seen by the owner, watching off-camera, as they picked up the puppies to move them to a clean pen.
The trial continues.
