Rowan authorities hope the public can help them find a woman who they say stole a seven-week-old puppy from the Rowan County Animal Shelter.

The woman walked into the shelter Tuesday during a busy time, asked to look at a brown Labrador mixed-breed pup, and when no one was looking, she walked out the door.

She is described as white, in her late 40s to early 50s, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, blonde and was wearing a dress. The incident occurred sometime around noon. She was seen leaving in a late model burgundy four-door Toyota Camry.

The puppy had only been at the shelter for a few days and had not been put up for adoption, Rowan authorities said.

A Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy contacted the person who brought the dog into the shelter to determine if he knew the woman matching the description. Officials said he didn’t know anyone matching the vehicle described.

Sheriff’s Capt. John Sifford said larceny of a dog is a felony offense. Authorities hope to obtain surveillance video of the theft.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.