It is an unusual and oddly touching story that unfolded in a beautiful villa in La Verpillière, southeastern France, as reported by local newspaper Le Dauphiné. When two young men broke into the private property to rob it, a neighbour's CCTV captured their bizarre behaviour. Wearing high-vis jackets, the two intruders seemed in absolutely no rush.
In fact, the footage revealed they stayed in the house for nearly forty minutes. But beyond the break-in itself, it was their completely unexpected reaction to the family's four-legged companion that astonished investigators.
An unexpected moment of kindness for the frightened pup
As they entered the home, the accomplices came face-to-face with the family dog. The lovely pup was visibly terrified by the sudden intrusion and began to shake with fear. Seeing the dog in such distress, the burglars reacted in an astonishing way. Far from being violent or indifferent, they decided to comfort him.
They very gently took the time to prepare a bowl of food for the dog, calming him down and winning his trust. To top off this highly unusual break, the two men even took a dip in the villa's swimming pool before helping themselves to a refreshing shower.
Brought to justice after their unusual break-in
While their kind behaviour towards the dog showed they had a heart, it was not enough to soften the judge. The police identified the two men quickly using the video footage, and they were arrested the very next day.
Following a fast-track trial, they were sentenced to immediate prison time. It was a deserved end to their short-lived escape, but one thing is certain: the family dog received some unforgettable VIP treatment from these very unusual visitors.