Alleged Queensland puppy thief to remain behind bars for his own safety

A magistrate has kept a man charged over the theft of two puppies in custody "for his own safety."

Ben Alex Worgan faced Brisbane Magistrates Court today charged with burglary and animal cruelty after two puppies, a male and a female both four-weeks-old, were taken from their home at Mitchelton last Sunday.

Magistrate Ann Thacker described the 23-year-old's case as "a terrible state of affairs," revealing the young man was addicted to ice, and homeless, and had  "a fall from grace from the army."

Worgan told the magistrate, "I didn't steal it. I texted the owners."

Magistrate Thacker told the court she was too worried about Worgan to grant him bail, telling the court he was an "unacceptable risk of self harm this weekend."

She urged him to get some sleep and have a clear head for his hearing on Monday, where it will be determined if he should be granted bail.

The female Maltese Shitzu was found safe and well at a Stafford address on Friday.

Her brother, who was stolen at the same time, was found at another address on March 6.

He was returned to the mother and owners yesterday.

He was dehydrated after almost a week away from his mother.