A man accused of stealing a shih-tzu from a pet store and then demanding $10,000 for its return, is to return to court on Friday.

Leroy White, charged with larceny, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Allegations are that on April 23, White and another man went into the complainant's pet store and took one of his dogs. It is alleged that the complainant tried to stop them and called out to them and that they reportedly told him that they would give the dog back in exchange for $10,000.

On May 8, the complainant made a report to the police, who went in search of White and his alleged accomplice. White was subsequently held and charged.

When the matter was mentioned in court, Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey put it off until Friday so the investigating officer could attend court and provide information about the whereabouts and state of the dog.