Police are investigating after CCTV appears to show a man taking a Guide Dogs Tasmania collection dog from a Hobart cafe.
The incident happened at around 7pm on June 29, when the man appeared to walk up to the cafe counter after it had closed and took the dog-shaped donation container used by members of the public to donate spare change.
Tasmania Police confirmed “a donation container with an amount of money was stolen from a cafe in the Hobart CBD”.
Guide Dogs Tasmania said the money raised through the collection dogs which sit in cafes, shops and restaurants across the state goes directly to supporting its programs.
“Money raised in collection dogs goes directly to support programs, helping us raise and train life-changing Guide, Autism Assistance, Facility and Companion Dogs for Tasmanians living with disability,” a Guide Dogs Tasmania spokesperson told Pulse.
“It takes $50,000 to train a guide dog and on average about two years.”
The spokesperson said the organisation relies on community support to fund its work.
“We’re supported by Tasmanians. Every cent goes toward people who need it,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage people to do the right thing, which is obviously not taking from those who need it.”
Guide Dogs Tasmania is the only state-based provider of guide dog services in Tasmania.
They are responsible for raising, training, matching and providing ongoing support for every dog in the program.
The organisation said its guide and assistance dogs provide people with independence, freedom and inclusion, as well as becoming loyal companions for those living with disability and their families.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hobart Police on 131 444 and quote reference OR 809630.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000.
