Woman 'tries to steal chihuahua'

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-30 10:37

A woman has been arrested in Australia for the attempted robbery of a chihuahua, it has been claimed.

The accused reportedly pulled out a working replica pistol when visiting a Sydney home for an appointment to purchase eight-week-old puppy Diego for AU$1,500 (£820), AAP reports.

Owner Ashleigh Johnson said: "She said she didn't want anyone to get hurt but we had all of our family from Newcastle there and there were kids around."

Johnson's son, an off-duty police officer, is believed to have restrained the woman until the police arrived.

The woman, who claimed to be suffering from cancer and reportedly said that she "needed love and had to have this dog", was charged with robbery while armed and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Police Superintendent Sue Waites added: "Obviously the dog was quite cute to this lady and she just wanted it - no different to someone taking a car for sale for a test drive and stealing it."