Sugar, a 2-year-old French bulldog, licks her mouth while waiting to be groomed during the Thailand International Dog Show in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Quebec provincial police say they've arrested three people in connection with a spate of puppy thefts targeting breeders last year. Breeders from across the province were targeted by the thefts, that mainly involved French bulldogs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kankanit Wiriyasajja
MONTREAL – Quebec provincial police say they’ve arrested three people in connection with a series of puppy thefts targeting breeders last year.
The cases involved breeders across the province who were targeted by thieves after listing their dogs, mainly French bulldogs, for sale online.
Police say suspects showed up in groups at the addresses where the puppies were for sale and on some occasions, pepper spray was used to allow them to flee with the animals.
Provincial police say an 18-year-old man from Laval, Que., was arrested in October 2021 in Thurso, in western Quebec, allowing investigators to tie him to other cases in the province and submit them to the Crown.
Investigators arrested two men from Laval, Que., both 19, on Wednesday and a third man was arrested in Blainville, Que.
All three appeared in court by video and remain detained, and police say their investigation continues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2022.
