A retired veterinarian is heartbroken after her adopted border collie and her car was stolen at a shopping centre on Lynwood Road in Pretoria yesterday. Although her car was recovered earlier today, her beloved dog is still missing.

Dr. Selma van Schouwenburg was bumped by a trolley while shopping, but she did not think anything of it at the time.

Ferdinand Loubser, a family member of Van Schouwenburg told Rekord that when she arrived at the place where she parked her car, she discovered that her car was missing, and the keys were no longer in her bag.

They suspect that the keys were taken from her in the shop when her trolley was bumped.

Haiku, Van Schouwenburg’s eleven-year-old dog was inside the car because it had recently had surgery on a hind leg and is struggling to walk.

“Dr. Selma is an elderly lady living alone. She is absolutely devastated that her only companion is missing,” said Loubser.

According to Loubser, the car was found at Selepe Street near the Mamelodi Baptist Church in Mamelodi West, on this morning with the dog’s collar inside, but unfortunately, Haiku was nowhere to be seen.

The community is standing together to spread the word about Haiku’s disappearance and is pleading for assistance from anyone who has information. Van Schouwenburg’s phone was also in the car when it was stolen, which makes her unreachable at the moment.

A Facebook post pleads with anyone who might have more information to please call Ferdinand on 082 468 3818 or the Waterkloof Animal Hospital on 066 047 3473.

“There is a reward on offer for anyone that can supply information that leads to Haiku’s safe return,” said Loubser, hoping it will increase the chances of Haiku’s return.