(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-08-02 20:06

A Chinese dog farmer in Shanghai has been jailed for 14 years for breaking into a local dog breeder's home, tying her up and stealing 24 puppies, state media said on Thursday.

Ge Wei, 32, owner of a farm outside Shanghai, was also deprived of his political rights for four years and fined 20,000 yuan ($2,600) at a Shanghai court on Wednesday.

The court was told that Ge set up his dog farm in a Shanghai suburb in 2005.

"On January 21 this year, Ge read an online posting regarding the sale of puppies. After having contacted the owner of the pups, identified as Ms Wang, Ge went to her home to inspect them, concluding that each dog could fetch more than 10,000 yuan each on the market," Xinhua said.

Ge called up several friends and returned to Wang's home five days later.

"His accomplices tied the dog owner's hands and feet and taped her mouth while Ge packed the 24 puppies into his car and sped off," Xinhua said.

Ge was detained on March 5 after Wang alerted the police. The puppies were later valued at a combined amount of 151,000 yuan.