The disappearance of a German Shepherd from a rural Mower County home has raised questions about whether or not the dog is one of a string of dog thefts reported in southeastern Minnesota in recent months.

Bruce Speer, who lives at 67018 300th St., north of Dexter, reported Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. that his purebred dog, Chief, was missing from the family yard.

Chief Deputy Mark May of the Mower County Sheriff’s office said he wasn’t sure if the missing dog was taken by the same people who have taken dogs from Fillmore, Dodge and Olmsted counties in recent months, but he knows some purebreds could command “anywhere from $800 to $1,300 to $1,400,” so that theft would not be out of the question.

The dog, described as black/brown, was not wearing tags.

Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 507-437-9400.