'You should be proud of yourselves': Fury as thieves target dog bus and leave owner facing hefty repair bill
Leeds dog bus targeted by thieves in ‘genius’ hot-wire attempt
A bright yellow bus packed with happy dogs was forced off the road after callous thieves tried to steal it – leaving its owner facing a hefty repair bill and a day of lost business.
Billy’s Bus uses a converted school bus to take pooches on fun-filled trips across Leeds.
The service picks up around 15 passengers and is the brain child of founder Laura Mohan, 44, who lives in Rawdon.
But a post on Facebook hit out at the would-be thieves, who apparently tried to hot-wire the vehicle, warning: “I just want to say a huge thankyou, to the brilliant, heroic, pillars of the community that decided to vandalise our bus overnight
“How anyone thought they could hot wire a massive bright yellow bus, covered with giant paw prints and get away with it? Well, just genius…well done.”
They hit out at having to cancel the service on Wednesday and warned that as well as losing custom for the day they are also faced with a big garage bill to pay.
The post added: “This yellow bus packed full of beautiful dogs, provides volunteers, adults with learning difficulties and young adults who need support and direction in life: the opportunity to find support, training, paid work, a brilliant job, and a meaningful life.
“We’ve lost a lot of money through cancelling service. We have a big garage bill to pay for.
“Our team and volunteers haven’t been able to work. We’ve not been able to beep, wave, smile and laugh, at all the people we drive past
“And I had to sit on a kerb all day watching mechanics fix my bus (Huge thanks to APW Cars for helping me and Mum )
“So well done whoever you are. You should be super proud of yourself and how clever you are.”
Ina previous report, the mum says she came up with the idea for her business after she was struggling to find care for her own pup - a three-year-old Cavapoo called Billy - which the company is named after.
Laura said the idea has been in the works for 10 months since Boxing Day 2024 before its launch in October 2025.
Laura has four different daily routes which see her pick up pups in her bus - affectionately known as a 'K9 Konvoy' - across different locations in West Yorkshire including Leeds, Ilkley, and Guiseley.
She said she is now back on the road and “there will be extra beeps, smiles and waves as we roll through the towns in our beautiful bus packed full of fluffy love”.