A 5-month old pit bull was reported stolen from a residence in the 1400 block of Main Street Wednesday morning, less than 12 hours after five puppies and a 1-year-old female of the breed were reported stolen in the 100 block of Pemberton Street, several miles away.

Police Sgt. Sandra Williams said the puppy was reported missing from outside the home at 8:41.

The theft is one in a string of reports involving the breed.

An 8- or 9-week-old pit bull puppy was reported stolen July 2 in the 4800 block of Benard Drive. In May, two Vicksburg men were wounded by gunfire after a fight at a Redbone Road residence reportedly over the purchase of a pit bull. Also, a local teen was arrested in April and charged with stealing one of the dogs.

Local Humane Society president Georgia Lynn said in April that two pit pulls seized in a police raid from a Speed Street home showed evidence of having been used for dog fighting. Williams said she does not believe the spate of thefts to be coincidence.