Stafford Heights resident Elizabeth Meredith said Dakota had been barking a lot and when she went downstairs to check on her - she was gone.

"I was babysitting my niece and she banged her head and started crying so I was dealing with her, and then all of a sudden the barking stopped," Ms Meredith said.

"When I went downstairs, the rope we use to tie the back gate with was gone and the metal in front of the gate was bent and there was no Dakota."

About two hours later the 21-year-old was called by the local vet to tell her Dakota had been found.

"Someone had found her tied up on the side of the road with the rope we use to tie the gate shut.

"She was bright blue and had chunks of hair missing."

Ms Meredith thinks Dakota's barking may have aggravated someone enough to take her.

"We are trying to get on top of her barking, we are always going out there with her," she said.

"The other thing we were thinking was maybe she was being used for dog fights to let the stronger dogs taste her blood.

"I was very, very shocked, she means the world to me. She is a lovely tender dog, she wouldn't hurt a fly."

Ms Meredith said she was relieved to have her pooch home but Dakota was obviously traumatised by the experience.

"She has been really quiet, she is still scared and shook up about what has happened," she said.

"Watch your dogs, put locks on your gates and check on your dogs all the time to make sure they are there."

Police are investigating.