It's been a ruff five days for cavalier king charles spaniel Remi, which is back in its owner's arms after being dognapped at a Canberra shopping centre.
Remi had been tied up near the southern entrance to Macquarie's Jamison Plaza by his owner Mary Williams about 7:00pm on Sunday.
CCTV footage released by police showed a dark Range Rover pull up to the entrance of the shopping centre, where three women and a child got out.
The driver and child got back in the car while one of the remaining women untied Remi from a seat, scooped up the small tan-coloured dog and took it into the car.
Ms Williams said after the theft she grew anxious for Remi's safety.
"I honestly didn't expect to get her back," she said.
"She's my companion, I walk her two or three times a day, you just feel a bit empty without [her]."
Police said the dog was returned to them with a new collar on Friday morning.
"I don't think that this was a targeted incident, I think it was a spontaneous incident by the people involved," Sergeant Andrew Mitchell said.
"The community should be confident their dogs are safe."
Police said the driver was described as being of a heavy build with a fair complexion and long, bleached blonde hair. She was wearing black pants, a dark top and black thongs.
The second of the female offenders is described as possibly in her 20s, with a medium to heavy build, with similar skin and hair.
The woman who actually carried Remi into the car was described as having a heavy build, with olive skin with dark hair.
Police would not comment on whether charges would be laid.
