Middleburg breeder says $5,000 French Bulldog stolen by woman who vowed to 'love it to death'

An 8-week-old French Bulldog was returned home after a Middleburg breeder said someone stole it.

Nataliya Safronova said the puppy is valued at $5,000. She filed a police report with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and plans to press charges.

On Tuesday, she said the suspected thief came to her Middleburg home to inquire about the puppy. She said the woman filled out a financing application, but it was denied.

Safronova says she stepped away to tuck her daughter in bed when the suspect took off with the puppy.

Surveillance video shows the woman running from the house.

In a text message conversation, the suspect said she gave the breeder fake information so she couldn’t be tracked down. The text read, “again I’m sorry but I definitely covered by tracks before doing this.”

The suspect also apologized and promised to take care of the puppy and said, “I’m going to love it to death. All I’ve ever wanted in my life is a Frenchy puppy.”

Action News Jax spoke to the woman over the phone. She denied stealing the puppy and said they agreed on a $50 deposit.

We took those claims to the breeder, who said it wasn’t true and that the suspect left without paying a penny.

Cox Media Group