Kamloops woman’s rare puppies stolen hours after her death

As if finding out a family member suddenly died wasn't enough, Dainya Watson's family were surprised and devastated to find that her dogs were stolen just a few hours later.

Kamloops RCMP and medical professionals arrived at Watson's Brocklehurst home early on June 28, where she was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m.

Her death was sudden and unexpected, Watson's sister, Kearston Burton-Weatherhead said.

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"Her children are coping the best they can," she said. "Our family is absolutely devastated."

Watson, 31, lived on the 2500-block of Tranquille Road with two roommates, who were at the house when she died.

After police spoke with the roommates, they offered to have animal control pick up Watson's eight seven-week-old puppies. The roommates denied the offer claiming they could contact Watson's family instead, then police left around 5 a.m., Burton-Weatherhead said. 

The puppies, Alapaha blue-blood bulldogs, were left in the front yard and stolen "within an hour," she said.

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"Her roommates heard commotion and went out to investigate," she said. "A blackish-grey van was speeding away and the puppies were gone."

Watson bred the dogs as a business and three of them were already sold to hopeful families.

Burton-Weatherhead said the dogs, a rare breed of bulldog, can be sold for between $2,500 and $3,500.

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The theft felt disrespectful and angering after Watson's family were already coping with her death, Burton-Weatherhead said.

She's hoping police will be able to find the dogs quickly, adding officers have already searched two homes. RCMP searched both Watson's home and another related to the investigation, she said.

"We want her to be laid to rest peacefully and without any issues," Burton-Weatherhead said.

Anyone with information about the stolen puppies can contact Burton-Weatherhead through her Facebook page or Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.

Kamloops RCMP was not immediately available to comment.

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