Pinball, a JRT

Boy, 13, charged with dognapping
Friend beaten while trying to recover stolen dog
By Tarina White, Sun Media
August 5, 2009

Julie Willness, the owner of a one-year-old Jack Russell named Pinball sits with the dog's brother named Buddy at their home as she holds up a poster of Pinball in hopes that someone will come forward with information about his whereabouts. He was taken from their yard on Temple Drive by a youth who has since been charged.

CALGARY -- While a Calgary family desperately hunts for their missing dog, a 13-year-old has been charged with theft and assault in connection with the pet's disappearance.

Julie Willness' one-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Pinball, was stolen from her fenced front yard on Temple Dr NE about 9pm Sunday. A short time later, a 15-year-old friend of her son chased down a group of teens that had Pinball at the dry ponds near the Temple Community Centre on Templegreen Rd. But the teen was beaten up by the group and was unable to get the dog back, alleged Willness.

"He was trying to be a hero," she said, adding the kid told her he had witnessed the group of teens beating up Pinball.

Staff Sgt Geoff Gawlinski said police have charged a 13-year-old boy with theft under $5,000 and assault in connection with the incident.

"There was enough to lay a charge on this 13-year-old male to be responsible for this dog going missing," he said.

The assault charge stems from the attack on the teenager who attempted to reclaim the dog, said Gawlinski. The accused can't be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Gawlinski said it's uncommon for cops to lay such serious charges against a 13-year-old.

"A lot of young offenders that we charge are closer to 18, but it does happen," he said.

The beaten teenager took police to the location where he last saw Pinball, but the group and the dog were gone. Police are continuing to investigate but Pinball's whereabouts remain unknown.

Willness, her husband and three kids have spent the past few days in the rain scouring the neighbourhood for their beloved pet.

"We are so worried about him -- we're desperately trying to find this little guy," she said. "This is really devastating for all of us."

The family is handing out flyers to raise awareness about Pinball's plight and they've also turned to Facebook to garner attention with a 'Help Us Find Pinball' page. Pinball weighs 15 lbs. and is white with tan-coloured patches.

Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2009/08/05/10366131-sun.html
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FOLLOW-UP

Stolen dog reunited with owners
Family asking 'for justice' in case
By Bill Kaurmann, Sun Media
August 6, 2009 

Owner Julie Willness (l) hugs her dog Pinball and is joined by family friend Maceio Lunan, 14, after the pooch and the family were reunited Wednesday, August 5, 2009. A 13-year-old has been charged with theft and assault after Pinball went missing on Sunday night.

CALGARY -- Pinball the purloined Jack Russell terrier has been returned to his owners safe and sound. The animal, allegedly stolen by a group of teens and beaten on Sunday night, was taken in by a young couple the same evening.

While the dog seems physically healthy, it's clear he's traumatized by his ordeal, said overjoyed owner Julie Willness, who was reunited with the one-year-old canine yesterday.

"He cowers when someone lifts their arm in the air over him -- you can definitely tell he's been through some abuse," said Willness.

"Hopefully, he doesn't think anyone will ever hurt him again but I'm just so excited to have him back home."

Pinball was stolen from Willness's backyard on Temple Dr at 9pm Sunday and a short time later, a 15-year-old was beaten when he tried to stop a group of teens from tormenting the animal.

Minutes after that, Stephanie Elson, 18, said she and her boyfriend Brian Williams were walking down 60 St NE when they encountered a woman walking her Labrador that was being hounded by a Jack Russell terrier.

"We took the dog home then went door-to-door asking if anyone had a missing Jack Russell," said Elson.

Willness said her search party and Elson's narrowly missed making contact with each other.

Yesterday, Williams' brother, Markus, showed them the front page photo of Pinball in the Calgary Sun and minutes later, they delivered the missing terrier to his grateful owners.

"I'm glad to see him go -- he wasn't getting along with my German Shepherd," said Elson.

"He's happy and now our dog will be happy."

Police have charged a 13-year-old with theft under $5,000 and assault, the latter charge stemming from the attack on the 15-year-old.

Willness said she's hoping for more arrests in the incident. "We still need to get justice for Pinball," she said.

"Pinball's happy and this young couple took good care of him." Pinball's collar and tag had been removed at the time he was taken from his backyard.

Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Good_News/2009/08/06/10377691-sun.html
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