A golden male puppy went missing from a Wakari home on Monday and an older chocolate-coloured female was reported stolen from a Henley property on Sunday.
The owner of the puppy suspects someone saw an opportunity and took his dog when it wandered off with his other dogs, but Erica May believes someone saw her 1-year-old American-New Zealand pit bull Tequila and returned later to deliberately take her.
The thief had specifically targeted Tequila, who is about to enter her first breeding season, because they had gone past three other pit bulls to get her out of her kennel, Ms May said.
She had recently moved south from the North Island where pit bulls were regularly stolen for dog fighting, breeding, or to be used as training bait for fighting dogs.
"All I want is for my beautiful girl back. She is so special to me and I would do anything to have her back. My worst fear is that someone will start hitting her or breed her and breed her. That would ruin her totally."
She had not heard of any dog fighting happening in Dunedin, but had heard local gangs were acquiring dogs to sell.
She reported the theft of the distinctive chocolate-coloured dog, which was microchipped, to police, the SPCA and the DCC straight away.
Having Tequila stolen was "the worst thing in the world".
"I raised her from six weeks old and it's like losing a child."
Pit bulls were loving and loyal dogs that were a widely misunderstood breed, Ms May, the president of the New Zealand Pitbull Terrier Club, said.
SPCA chief executive Phil Soper said the SPCA was notified of both losses.
Pit bulls tended to stay close to their owners and did not usually wander off, which was why it was unusual two were reported missing in one week, he said.
They were a desired breed that people liked to acquire "by fair means or foul" because some associated them with being "macho" and believed owning one brought them kudos.
Anyone who had seen either dog should contact the SPCA.
