Come home, Billy: Adam Harrison and Ebony Hayes await the return of Billy with baby Summer. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 53486
Erin Pearson
A GEELONG couple has issued a heartbroken plea for the return of their beloved pet after thieves stole a car with a dog inside at Waurn Ponds.
Ebony Hayes and Adam Harrison feared they might never see two-and-a-half year old Maltese-shih tzu cross Billy again as they waited for police to find their car on Wednesday afternoon.
Billy was in the back seat of their 1997 EL Ford Falcon when it was stolen from Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre’s car park around 7.30pm Tuesday.
Ms Hayes said Mr Harrison left the car running just metres from the shopping centre while he went to purchase food.
He had left the engine idling because the car’s battery had run flat just hours before.
“It’s awful and I feel absolutely sick,” she said.
“Billy was our first little baby and we always take him with us.
“We don’t care about the car, we just want to find him.”
Ms Hayes described Billy as a short-haired version of the crossbreed, with the hair on his tail and ears clipped.
He was micro-chipped and wearing a collar, she said.
Friends and family had been searching tirelessly for Billy.
“We’re trying to stay positive, trying to be strong, but he’s such a big part of our family,” Ms Hayes said.
“Adam has been driving all night all around Geelong and even to Werribee and Colac.
“If anyone finds him please take him to the Geelong animal welfare centre.”
Police urged witnesses or anyone with information on the whereabouts of the car or the dog to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The car’s registration is ORY 158.
