Three English bulldog puppies were recovered Saturday night, just hours after the purebred pets were snatched from their owners' back yard.
The eight-week-old puppies were found in a duffel bag behind a convenience store at Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue West, at around 11 p.m.
A customer told the convenience store employee there was something in a bag in the alleyway. When he went to investigate, the employee found the missing puppies and contacted police.
The owners, Kevin and Anne, said they were relieved to have their dogs back. They said the puppies were fine, but smelled like cigarette smoke and needed a bath.
"I feel less weight on me, on us. We are relieved," Anne told CTV News. "They are actually doing very well. They are nice and healthy; they are running around."
The dogs, named Winston, Abigail and Mildred, were stolen from the family's yard in the Danforth Avenue and Main Street area around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, according to a police news release.
The man who alerted the convenience store employee has not been identified.
Anyone with information is asked to call 54 Division at 416-808-5400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.
With files from CTV Toronto's Sneha Kulkarni
