JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Authorities are asking for the public's help in catching a pair of canine crooks who were caught on tape.

Police said the theft took place at the Pet World store on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin.

The two women seen on the store's surveillance tape didn't go for any money, but instead they went straight for a puppy worth more than $1,000.

The woman working at the pet store at the time of the theft said she had no idea the two women would steal a puppy because they seemed like regular customers.

"It's not something that we expect to happen here. It just totally took all of us totally off guard that they actually managed to get away with that," said Christina Henley of Pet World.

Channel 4's Melanie Lawson reported that there are four surveillance cameras positioned around the Pet World store.

Store associates said one of the women came in and picked up a puppy and carried her around the store for about 10 minutes. They said they had no idea the woman would later take puppy and not pay.

Workers also said the woman who took the puppy had some help.

"They have to be able to find a way to distract us, and that's basically what happened," Henley said.

The distraction came in the form of a second woman, who was seen on the surveillance video at the counter talking to workers and keeping them busy.

"I guess it's not that uncommon in these situations to have a couple of people working together," Henley said.

The dachshund that was stolen was 9 weeks old. Workers said they're worried she might not get the extra care a newborn puppy needs.

"It was a very young puppy. With any young puppy, there are certain things that parents would need to be looking for, just like a newborn baby," Henley said.

Workers at Pet World are asking veterinarians to be on the lookout for a young dachshund. Anyone with information about the stolen puppy is asked to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS.