Boomer, small poodle

Man who rented billboard to find dog is finally reunited with his poodle
May 29, 2014

It was a reunion seven months in the making. A man who rented a mobile billboard to find his poodle finally got his wish. Eddie Williams was reunited with his poodle, Boomer after someone stole the dog from a gas station at 25th and Sherman last  November.

“Eddie Williams was reunited with his poodle, Boomer after someone stole the dog from a gas station at 25th and Sherman last November.”

“Got my little human with 4 legs back, ” said Eddie Williams.

The reunion wasn’t the result of the mobile billboard cruising around town, but by a coincidental encounter by Eddie himself.

Eddie says he was at a truck stop in Indianapolis last Monday when he saw a woman with a dog that looked like Boomer. The woman let him hold the dog and noticed the poodle’s reaction to the man she thought was a stranger. The woman told Eddie she and her husband found the dog wandering near 38th and Keystone around the same time the dog was stolen.

“Thought this day would never come and when I saw him at the gas station I look at him she actually let me hold him,” said Williams.

The woman took the dog back with her and after she and her husband were contacted by police the dog was retrieved to run the microchip. It was Boomer.

“God orchestrated everything and its no coincidence that he ran into his own dog on the other side of town and I just praise God for that,” said IMPD Detective, Cheryl Cameron.

Detective Cameron worked with Eddie and animal control on this case.

After an exciting reunion Eddie says he’s most looking forward to taking Boomer back on the road with him as he drive his semi truck.

“Looking forward to us re-bonding and us getting used to each other. Him realizing he’s back with daddy can do anything he want to do tear up anything he wanna tear up because there’s no consequences. His name is boomer he get away with anything.”

Source: http://fox59.com/2014/05/29/man-who-rented-billboard-to-find-dog-is-finally-reunited-with-his-poodle/#axzz339owdNq9

Cookie, Staffy Mastiff Amer Bulldog

Dog Stolen From Kent Home Reunited With Owner
by Ryan O'Meara
May 22, 2014

A dog has been reunited with her owner thanks to the use of social media, the work of a Safer Neighbourhoods Team and the local community.

Cookie – a six-month-old Staffordshire mastiff American Bulldog cross – was taken from her home address in Neptune Walk, Erith on Wednesday 14 May. Her owner, June Gosling, had left Cookie inside the house at 9am and when she returned at 2pm she noticed that a ground floor window was wide open and Cookie was missing.

Police were called and officers attended to take a statement. Following this the owner posted an appeal on Facebook for anyone who had seen Cookie to contact her.

She received several messages saying that a dog matching Cookie’s description was seen around Picardy Street, Belvedere.

This was followed up by Belvedere Safer Neighbourhood Team officers with residents coming forward saying they had seen a man in that area walking the dog.

The following day Tuesday (20th May) at approximately 1pm the officers were on a crime prevention stall at Picardy Street, Belvedere when a man walked past with a dog that looked like Cookie.

He was stopped and spoken to. The dog he was in possession of was taken to a local vet by the officers and as the dog was microchippped when it was scanned, it revealed the dog was Cookie.

The man, 23 years, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. He is currently on bail whilst police continue with their investigation.

The dog was immediately returned to her family, who were thrilled to be reunited with her.

June Gosling, Cookie’s owner, said: “I am over the moon to be reunited with my baby Cookie – she is family too me, it was like loosing a child. “It was the worst week of my life and I had almost given up hope but thanks to some wonderful members of the public, Facebook and the police, in particular PCSO Jay Worrall, I have my puppy back I couldn’t be more happy. “Being reunited with her was an incredible relief – I won’t be letting her out of my sight!”

Acting Sergeant Chris Molnar, from Belvedere Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “This is a lovely story that shows that social media, when used correctly, can give us huge assistance with investigating an allegation of crime.

“The initiative shown by the owner, residents and then officers who immediately followed it up has ensured that Cookie has returned home where she belongs.

“What this case also demonstrates is just how important micro-chipping your dog can be as we were able to immediately identify that it was Cookie. From the 6 April 2016 the law is changing and people who keep dogs as pets must have them micro-chipped and this highlights just how beneficial it will be.”

Source: http://www.dognews.co.uk/dog-stolen-kent-home-reunited-owner/

Violet, Yorkshire terrier

NJ Woman Reunited With Small Dog Stolen During Date
Dover Police Department
Monday, Apr 21, 2014

A New Jersey woman has been reunited with her small dog and flat-screen TV that were allegedly stolen during her first date with a man she met online.

Violet, the Yorkshire terrier reported missing, was safely returned to her owner.

The Daily Record of Parsippany reports the woman told police her Yorkshire terrier had been returned early Saturday and appeared to be in good health. The dog named Violet had been tied, by its leash, to the television and left in the front yard of her Dover home.

The dog and the television were returned to her a day after she had reported the thefts.

Authorities say the woman went out with the man for the first time Thursday night.

After returning home, she became occupied in another room, leaving the man alone. When she returned, he was gone -- and so were the dog and TV.

It's not clear if charges will be filed.

Source: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-Jersey-Woman-Reunited-With-Small-Dog-Stolen-During-Date--255928791.html

Tequila, schnitzu

Dog stolen outside Marks & Spencer, Wood Green, reunited with family
By Jaber Mohamed
Friday 27th December 2013

A Harringay family celebrated a “Christmas miracle” after their stolen dog was found safe and sound.

Alison Okudzeto tied her pet Tequila to a pole outside Marks & Spencers, in Wood Green, on Friday, December 20, – but when she returned 20 minutes later she was gone.

Tequila, an 11-year-old cross between schnauzer and shitzu, was stolen in Wood Green but was found safe and sound on Christmas Eve

CCTV footage showed two men untying the black dog from the pole and coaxing her away at around 3.30pm.

Ms Okudzeto and her two daughters, Isla, two and Eline, three, were heartbroken at the loss of the 11-year-old dog.

The mother-of-two said: “We were all devastated. It was horrible and we didn’t feel like we could look forward to Christmas.”

But late on Christmas Eve they received a phone call from a vet in Enfield telling them Tequila had been brought into the surgery.

Ms Okudzeto said: “It was a Christmas miracle and the best present we could have asked for.

“The vet said someone came and handed her in after finding her wandering the streets but she looked perfectly fine.

“I think whoever took her realised she wasn’t worth very much money so they let her go.”

The mother warned other dog owners to be careful with their dogs in the area around Turnpike Lane Tube station.

She said: “I want to tell dog owners not to leave their dogs tied up in Wood Green High Road because they could be stolen.

“I didn’t leave my dog out there for very long at all and the experience was really upsetting so people should be careful.”

Source: http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/10901503.Stolen_dog_reunited_with_family/

Handover, pitbull

Homeless Man Reunited With Dog Stolen Three Weeks Ago
May 22, 2013

James Bryan, a homeless man living in Florida, woke up the morning of May 8 to find that his pet dog was missing. The dog, a blue pit bull named Handover, was the only remaining tie to Bryan's previous life, before he'd lost his farm, his home, and nearly all of his other personal belongings.

"Handover is my best friend. He's my heart and soul," Bryan told ABC Action News last week for a story about his then-missing dog. “If anybody sees him, please bring him home.”

Bryan, who lives along U.S. 19 in Hudson, Florida, feared Handover might have been targeted by someone involved with a dogfighting ring.

“I'm praying to God nobody's putting him into an arena and fighting him," Bryan said. "He is a force of nature."

Word spread about Handover's theft, and eventually Carolyn Texter, who knew Handover and Bryan from her work with animal rescues, heard and decided to help.

"That's the hardest thing I'm having right now. To even explain to my kids how someone could possibly steal someone's family member," Texter said.

Texter started a Facebook page to find Handover and, with the help of a few friends, raised a $200 reward for his return. The story eventually went viral. The Facebook page received thousands of likes and attracted the attention of local news stations. Information about and pictures of Handover was shared thousands of time. Soon, the reward money swelled to $1,000.

Wednesday afternoon, all the work paid off, and Bryan was reunited with Handover.

Handover was taken to a veterinarian for an check-up – he was healthy – and to have a microchip implanted in case he goes missing again.

So far, there's been no official word from Bryan, but on the Facebook page Texter described him as "speechless" and thankful for all the help he'd received.

As for Handover's name: He was a gift from Bryan's then-wife five years ago. As she was holding the new dog, she asked Bryan what he wanted to call his new pet. “Hand him over!” was Bryan's immediate response, and the name stuck.

Source: http://gawker.com/homeless-man-reunited-with-dog-stolen-three-weeks-ago-509407912

Max, yorkie

Detroit man reunited with his stolen Yorkie
By Taryn Asher Fox 2 News
Posted: Jan 22, 2013

DETROIT (WJBK) -- It was all smiles and kisses as a Detroit man and his best friend are reunited at Detroit's Sixth Precinct.

This is how it all unfolded.  Shannon came home to find a note taped to his door that basically said I saw the story last night and I know where you dog is right at this moment.  Shannon called the number on the note and soon found out if he wanted his dog back, he was going to have to pay up.

"Some lady answered the phone.  She said that she had bought my dog from a 'crackhead' for $750 and that I could get the dog back if I wanted it."

Shannon asked for a picture to confirm it was in fact his pint-sized pup.  When he didn't hear back, he called again.

"A gentleman answered the phone and he said that the girl didn't know what she was talking about, but he knew where I could find my dog but he wanted $1,500."

"They kind of infuriated me.  Not only [do] you have the audacity to try to sell me back my property, but you want $1,500 for it?"

Shannon hung up and called Detroit Police, who told him to call back and tell them he would pay the money.  Two undercover officers from the breaking and entry task force showed up and waited.

"The cops wanted me to make sure that they had my dog.  So the guy actually got out of the car with my dog in his hand, and he's like, 'Where's the money?'  And I'm like, 'Hold on.  I'll get it for you.'"

Shannon pressed send on his cell phone to alert the officers.

"When I saw them get back in the car, I was just praying that the cops could catch them before they got away and, in fact, they did.  So I was really appreciative for that.  So the cops did an excellent job."

"I appreciate Fox 2 for putting it on the air and helping me get my dog back because without Fox 2, the word wouldn't have got out and I'm pretty sure they never would've called me."

Police believe the same guys that are in custody are also responsible for stealing all of Shannon's stuff and his dog.  They plan to run the fingerprints to see if there is a match.

Source (with video) : http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20653749/detroit-man-reunited-with-his-stolen-yorkie
Original story & video at http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20643346/detroit-homeowner-heartbroken-after-thieves-steal-yorkie

Diesel, staffy

Dog to be reunited with family after missing for two years
Dominic Geiger
21st Jan 2013

SAMANTHA McDonald's faith in humanity has been restored.

Last night, Ms McDonald received a call from Animal Emergency Services on the Gold Coast informing her the family's pet Staffy 'Diesel' had been found - two years after he disappeared.

The family’s pet Staffy ‘Diesel’ had been found – two years after he disappeared.

Ms McDonald said she had given up hope of ever seeing her beloved puppy again when she moved with her fiancé Dean and their two sons to Mackay 12 months ago.

"I was overwhelmed," Ms McDonald said.

"I began to get emotional… I had to pass my phone over to Dean to finish the conversation."

A member of the public rescued Diesel from the side of a busy Gold Coast road, and a microchip test revealed he belonged to the McDonald family.

Ms McDonald said she immediately began making preparations to travel to the Gold Coast to pick up the pet, until she received more good news this morning.

"AES has their own Facebook page and there's been lots of support from strangers and those involved to reunite Diesel with our family," she said.

This Wednesday, Diesel will board a plane with pet transfer company Jetpets and make the journey to Mackay.

AES receptionist Solange Newton said the flight had been funded through anonymous donations after Diesel's plight was published on the group's Facebook page.

"(The McDonalds) were overwhelmed, they were in tears," Ms Newton said.

"It took them a little while to believe we had found their dog and they were concerned about his health and the condition he was in as well."

But Diesel was found to be in "fabulous condition".

"The impression we get is he was taken in by another family," Ms Newton said.

Ms McDonald said it felt like her family's "missing link" was being returned to them.

"Thanks to total strangers for their support and reuniting Diesel with our family," she said.

"It just restores my faith in humanity."

Source: http://www.qt.com.au/news/dog-be-reunited-family-after-missing-two-years/1724900/
Another version of the story is at http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/01/22/445880_gold-coast-news.html

Tweed, llasa apso terrier mix

Star jockey's ex-wife reunited with beloved puppy Tweed EIGHT years after she vanished
By Inderdeep Bains
18 January 2013

When her beloved puppy was stolen, Miriam Francome refused to give up hope that the two of them would one day be reunited.

But even she found it hard to believe when, eight years later, the dog was found wandering just a few miles from her home.

The former wife of champion jockey and racing pundit John Francome had spent months putting up posters, knocking on doors and dropping leaflets after Lhasa Apso-terrier crossbreed Tweed was stolen in 2005, even offering a £1,000 reward for the dog’s safe return.

Mrs Francome said: ‘She was born on my bed and had never been away from me. I was completely heartbroken at the time.

‘Although I never quite gave up hope of seeing her again, I could not believe it when I got the call saying she had been found. I just burst into tears.’

Tweed had been microchipped, so when she was found in Wantage, Oxfordshire last month – not far from Miss Francome’s home village near Hungerford, Berkshire – the council was able to trace her owner.

Despite being flea-ridden and filthy, the worst Tweed, who is now nine, appeared to have suffered was a bad haircut.

‘Thankfully it doesn’t look like she has been mistreated, she is not anxious or cowering, she seems happy and relaxed,’ said  Mrs Francome. ‘She’s not been starved either and is eating well. She’s still as good-natured as I remember her to be and the vet has given her the all-clear.’

After she was informed Tweed had been found, Mrs Francome had to wait eight days to allow anyone who may have unwittingly bought the dog in the eight years she was missing to come forward.

The former model said: ‘It was amazing when I went to pick her up, I wanted to cuddle her but she smelt so bad and her hair was all matted. Whoever had her had cut all her lovely hair off.

‘She recognised me straight away and responded to her name. When I brought her home, she knew exactly where she was.’

Mrs Francome, who dated  ex-racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks – now married to former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks –  after separating from former jockey champion  John in the early 1990s, had bred Tweed and her brother Harris from her pet Megan.

‘We think Tweed may have been used for breeding and her puppies sold for around £200 each.

‘I imagine that the last time whoever had her had tried to mate her, she didn’t conceive because of her age. And they had no more use for her and just dumped her,’ said Mrs Francome, who now works part time as a barmaid and dog-sitter.

‘It is strange to think that she was so close to me all these years but I just never knew it.’

Tweed is now settling back in at home after being reunited with her brother Harris and introduced to Mrs Francome’s five other dogs. She had been stolen during a spate of dog thefts in the area as she played with her brother outside Mrs Francome’s cottage on the morning of February 2, 2005.

• Tweed had been microchipped and was traced back to its owner
• Miriam Francome had spent months putting up posters, knocking on doors and dropping leaflets after dog was stolen in 2005
• Despite being flea-ridden and filthy, Tweed, now nine, is in good health

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264763/Star-jockeys-ex-wife-reunited-beloved-Tweed-EIGHT-years-vanished.html

Zeus Luby

Recovering alcoholic reunited with stolen dog
By Melanie Attlesey
Monday 14th January 2013

A former alcoholic has been reunited with the dog he credits with helping his recovery after it was stolen.

Chris Luby pictured in December appealing for Zeus to be returned

Chris Luby, 52, of Audley Court in South Woodford, made an impassioned plea for the safe return of his beloved Zeus after he was taken from his garden just before Christmas.

The dog was then traced to a lock-up in Romford Road following a tip-off earlier this month.

Mr Luby said: "I am overjoyed to have Zeus back, but being away from me has had its effect on him.

"He is now so clingy and doesn’t want to leave my side."

"He was found with no food and water and the place stank."

Mr Luby, who was an alcoholic for 30 years but has been dry for two years, bought Zeus eight months ago.

He says his pet has helped him stay off the booze by giving him focus and giving him a reason to get out of the house

But he said he has been left confused after the police told him the case is now closed and nothing will be done to trace those responsible for the theft.

He added: "As long as I have got my dog back the police don’t seem to care.

"I know they left another dog there in those conditions – why didn’t they take it away with them?

"I want them to investigate the theft properly and I want answers.

"I just felt like a nuisance to them and like it was too much hard work for them.

"They can say it is only an animal, but it was kidnap and Zeus is my world."

A spokesman for Redbridge Police said a complaint had been made but he could not comment further as the investigation was ongoing.

Source: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10160390.Recovering_alcoholic_reunited_with_stolen_dog/
Printer friendly version at http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10160390.print/

Pocket, chihuahua

Family reunited with stolen pet chihuahua
Published on Friday 9 March 2012 15:51

A BELOVED pet dog has been reunited with its family in Old Leake – more than eight months after being stolen.

Pocket the Chihuahua was taken while on a shopping trip to Skegness with her owner on July 2 last year.

The incident was captured on CCTV with images showing an unknown man taking the dog from outside a shop in Lumley Road where she was tethered.

Owner Jodie Carr, and her three children, aged 13, nine and three, of Station Road, were left ‘devastated’ and ‘crying themselves to sleep’ following the incident.

After eight long months, it seemed all hope was lost – but thanks to publicity in The Standard and police appeals spreading to social networking sites – Pocket’s notoriety meant she had become ‘hot property’.

“I didn’t believe it when I heard they had found her and just thought it was probably a different dog,” said Jodie, 32.

“We are so relieved to get her back, and it is like she has never been away.”

The fawn-coloured chihuahua was discovered last month tied to a lamp post in the Lincoln area.

She was picked up by a dog warden who scanned her microchip which contained the information about her true owners.

“We wouldn’t have got her back if it wasn’t for the microchip,” said Jodie.

She added: “I would recommend anyone who loves their pet gets it micro-chipped.”

Police believe the tiny dog was abandoned after the thief became concerned about all the attention her disappearance was generating.

Pcso Dave Bunker, of Skegness Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Everyone is delighted to hear that Pocket has been safely reunited with her family.”

He added: “We are very grateful to the websites and media who covered the story and to all the social media users who re-tweeted our appeals and helped spread the word about the theft.”

Source: http://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/news/crime/family-reunited-with-stolen-pet-chihuahua-1-3610038

Molly, pug

Crouch End couple reunited with stolen dog after Twitter storm
by Tim Lamden
Tuesday, January 10, 2012


A Crouch End couple are celebrating after a celebrity-backed Twitter campaign helped to reunite them with their stolen dog.

Catriona Fox, 27, admitted “falling apart” after her boyfriend Justin Liebenberg, 36, called her last Friday to tell her burglars had broken into their flat on Stapleton Hall Road and stolen their three-year-old pug Molly.

Family members and friends encouraged the couple to spread word of the missing dog online and within 24 hours there was a Facebook page and Twitter account dedicated to finding Molly.

News of the missing dog was quickly picked up by celebrity Twitter users, such as Jonathan Ross, Bianca Jagger and Joanna Page, who posted appeals on the social networking site and by Sunday evening Molly was reunited with her owners.

Speaking about the panicked 48 hours in which Molly was missing, Miss Fox said: “We haven’t slept, we haven’t eaten, we have been beside ourselves.”

Neighbours called the police last Friday after seeing two men leaving the couple’s basement flat holding a bag and the pet pug, having forced open the front window with a crowbar.

Besides Molly, the intruders made off with two laptops and a PlayStation, having ransacked the entire flat.

Miss Fox said: “What we don’t understand is why they took [Molly], whether they were being utterly horrible or whether they thought they could sell her.”

The subsequent Facebook page and Twitter account set up in the hunt for Molly quickly attracted attention from hundreds of concerned well-wishers, including an array of high-profile celebrities, who issued their own appeals to thousands.

Molly was eventually returned home after she was found wandering in Enfield by a woman who then checked online to discover the internet appeal.

Miss Fox said: “We are overwhelmed and just so pleased to have her back. The interest in it has been amazing, it’s restored our faith in people.”

Source: http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/news/crouch_end_couple_reunited_with_stolen_dog_after_twitter_storm_1_1173458
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Harmony, pit mix

Family: Stolen Dog 'Made to Fight'
By Nicole Mooradian
January 10, 2012

Harmony, a deaf boxer-American bulldog puppy, is back home; however, she's traumatized from her ordeal, her family tells Patch.

Patrick Thomasson kisses Harmony shortly after she returns home from her ordeal.

A deaf puppy who had been missing for about two weeks was reunited with her family Monday, Sheyla Thomasson confirmed to Patch in an email.

Harmony, who was stolen from a car in the Manhattan Village mall in Manhattan Beach on Dec. 27, was found in Lennox, Thomasson told Patch in a phone conversation Tuesday. A person called the phone number listed on one of the many "missing dog" fliers plastered all over the South Bay.

According to a news release from Manhattan Beach Police Department spokeswoman Officer Stephanie Martin, the caller said a family member discovered Harmony on Hawthorne Boulevard near 116th Street.

Erin Lovejoy—the director of the Lovejoy Foundation, which received the tip about Harmony's location—and Patrick Thomasson confirmed the puppy was Harmony and brought her home.

She was in bad shape, Sheyla Thomasson said. The veterinarian who examined her said it looked as though the dog had been dragged over concrete. Harmony also had cigarette burns on her body and a bloodied paw, among other injuries.

"We're trying to bring her back to health," Thomasson said, noting that the veterinarian said Harmony was "definitely made to fight."

Nevertheless, the prognosis is good. "It's sad. It's very, very sad, but she's doing a lot better today already," Thomasson said. "It's just going to be awhile until she's back to normal."

For the next few days, Harmony is staying with Lovejoy, who fostered the white boxer-American bulldog mix for six weeks before the Thomassons adopted her, and visiting her adopted family several times per day. On Friday, when the Thomasson's children will be out of the house, Harmony will come back for her first night at home, Thomasson said.

"We don't know what [Harmony is] capable of right now because she's been so abused," Thomasson said, noting that Lovejoy's house is a more familiar one for the dog. "Saturday, we'll see how she's doing with Bella [the Thomasson's other dog], and then Sunday, the kids will come back."

The reward, which had grown to more than $4,000 since the puppy's disappearance, will not be paid, Thomasson said.

The people who called about Harmony "didn't want a reward," she said, so all donations made to the fund will be returned.

The MBPD is still investigating, Martin said. The person who took Harmony also stole an iPad, a $25 Visa gift card and about $70 in cash.

When Harmony was stolen, the community rallied around the Thomasson family, who had adopted the dog just before Christmas, by canvassing neighborhoods, posting fliers and increasing the reward.

"The whole community came together tremendously," said Thomasson. "Everybody kept the faith."

Source: http://palosverdes.patch.com/articles/stolen-dog-reunited-with-family

Zeus, sheltie

Owner Reunited With Dog After He Disappeared
Monday, December 26 2011, 11:54 PM EST

HUBER HEIGHTS -- It's a sound that has been missing from Tammy Shelton's home since Christmas, her dog Zeus barking.

"As you can see, he's like Mom's beside me, it's all right. and I'm like, Zeus is beside me, it's more than all right," said Shelton.

Sunday, some boys saw a person in a green van swoop Zeus out of the side lawn. We interviewed Tammy and she pleaded for the people to bring the dog back, no questions asked. The right person saw the report.

"Neighbors said, that lady was on the news... you better return that dog," said Shelton.

A woman showed up with Zeus, returning the dog but did not accept the reward.

"My son was here, so there was a knock at the door and she just informed him that, "here he is, he could have gotten run over." Well I really would have liked to thank her.... I still do. I don't really know, I don't know how the story goes but he's home, he's home," said Shelton.

Tammy says she'll be keeping a much closer eye on him, even if he's in the side yard. She's even considering installing a permanent microchip so she could always track him.

Source with video: http://abc.daytonsnewssource.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wkef_vid_4468.shtml

Previous story and video at: http://abc.daytonsnewssource.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wkef_vid_4459.shtml

HUBER HEIGHTS -- A local woman is extremely distraught and she is begging for thieves to return her best friend. Two kids saw someone steal her dog, and he's still missing.

"It's Christmas, just bring him back," said Tammy Shelton since a Grinch has taken all of Tammy Shelton's Christmas cheer. Her beloved dog, Zeus, was plucked from her yard, stolen in broad daylight on Christmas.

"We were delivering Christmas gifts to all my friends with this Santa outfit on," said Shelton.

She took the outfit off of Zeus around 2:30 and let him out in the side yard, as she always does.

"He goes and then he lays right on the cement," said Shelton.

When he wasn't there, she panicked and searched the whole neighborhood. Then neighborhood boys told her they saw people in a green van take zeus, even after they protested. She traveled to the humane society with no luck, so she called police.

"He took the police report he said I hate to tell you but this is the time of year. They want your money they want your reward. Even if someone had told them where that dog goes they want your money. But you know what they can ask me any amount of money, if they just bring him back... I would give it to them," said Shelton who says Zeus has a hard time moving around because of hip dysplasia. And with no teeth, can only eat certain foods. But mostly, he's only ever known one mom, Tammy. She's worried about what they would want with a 12 year old dog who's her best friend.

"Whatever you want, just bring him back," said Shelton.

She says if you know anything about the dog, she's urging you to contact her. No questions asked.

Mottel, pomeranian

Yelp has arrived!
By Kevin Fasick and Aaron Feis
December 31, 2011

A cruel dognapper snatched Mottel a few days ago, but the 17-year-old Pomeranian is starting the new year on a happy bark — he was reunited with his best friend yesterday.

REUNION: Actress and teacher Lenore Harris clutches her prized Pomeranian, Mottel, yesterday after the dog was stolen from her cart in a drugstore.

“It’s a miracle,” said West Sider Lenore Harris, 59, who was grateful to a mother and daughter who rescued Mottel after they found him in a bag at an Upper East Side bus stop a day after he was snatched from her in a drugstore.

“It’s a great holiday New York story,” said Lenore’s sister, Rosalind Harris, an actress who played Tzeitel in the movie “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Lenore, herself an actress who played a public defender on “Law & Order,” said she took Mottel with her to a CVS drugstore at 93rd Street and Broadway Tuesday night.

She put Mottel’s carrier in her shopping cart. She turned to speak to the pharmacist and “it wasn’t even a minute. I turned around and the dog was gone.”

“I ran to the front of the store yelling, ‘Somebody stole my dog!’ ” she said. “The employees said they saw the man walk out very fast with the bag.”

“I know this sounds dramatic, but you want to commit suicide,” said Lenore, who teaches speech at the HB Studio acting school. “I wanted to kill myself.”

She and her two sisters spent $1,500 on fliers and posters and on drivers to take them around looking for him.

The story’s happy ending began Wednesday night when Sonya Thorpe, 43, and her 9-year-old daughter Naomi, saw a bag at the bus stop at 96th Street and First Avenue.

“Naomi picked up the bag. She thought it would be nice for school,” said Thorpe.

“I took it from her and I set the bag down and I heard a whimper.” she said. “I opened the bag and said, ‘Oh my God, he’s so cute.’ ”

Yesterday morning, Thorpe read the tag that indicated he had a microchip and where to call if he was lost.

American Veterinary Identification Devices quickly called Lenore, who went to the Thorpes to get the dog.

Today Lenore is taking Mottel for a special grooming and bath “so he enters the new year sparkling,” she said yesterday at the Westside Veterinary Center, where doctors said Mottel was fine.

Source: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/yelp_has_arrived_cULfzEMMVXgYLPNGYzl5eJ

Molly, Boston terrier

Dog returned after ransom money given to thief suspect
By Christina Boyle, Daily News Staff Writer
Saturday, October 27 2007

Stacey Grant is happily reunited with beloved pooch Molly.

The Boston Terrier snatched outside a Brooklyn laundry is back home - after the dog's owners shelled out $2,500 to men they suspect stole her in the first place.

The day after the Daily News highlighted Molly's disappearance and fears that scammers are swiping pets to make a quick buck, the beloved pooch was returned in exchange for the cash reward.

Owners Stacey Grant and her boyfriend, Nick Hallam, received a call from a man who said he found Molly walking on the BQE, just yards from the spot where she vanished in Williamsburg last Friday.

"We almost ran over her with our car. We took her back to our father's in Long Island," the stranger explained. "I need to buy a car, my brother's got attached to the dog and I really want this money to buy a car."

The couple became even more suspicious when the man made basic errors describing their dog, and gave a wrong number to contact him.

"He kept calling Molly 'he' and said she had a black lead when it's burgundy," Grant said.

"He gave us a fake number. We called and it was the museum of New York. We thought it was a scam."

The man was persistent and after offering to do the swap near his Harlem home, Grant and Hallam insisted they meet on neutral turf - opting for a well-lit parking lot outside MacDonald's on W. 34th St.

They notified cops but were warned it could be a trap and to meet "at their own risk," Grant said.

"We got a cab and as we drove by there was a guy holding Molly," she said.

"I saw her and started crying and ran toward her. She recognized me immediately and was licking me all over."

Despite their suspicions, Grant and Hallam handed over an envelope with $2,500 cash to the two men with Molly.

One of the men even matched a description given by a witness who saw Molly being snatched.

"I was just really happy to see my dog. I was thanking them for bringing her back. Meanwhile they were getting our money," Grant said.

"I think the story in the paper made them feel pressure because people were going to recognize Molly. Thank God for that."

Despite some blisters on her paws and an odor of marijuana, Molly is unscathed.

"She was really subdued and spooked, a bit freaked out but will be okay," Grant said. "It makes me feel violated. Who takes your dog from you and holds them for ransom?"

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/dog-returned-ransom-money-thief-suspect-article-1.229529
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Emmie, pitbull puppy

11 week-old stolen puppy reunited with owner
by Rebecca White and Brian Heap, KWCH 12 Eyewitness News
December 13, 2011

(WICHITA, Kan.)— A picture on Facebook leads a stolen puppy back to its owner. After Eyewitness News posted the picture of 11-month-old "Emmie" on our Facebook page, a woman called and said she thought she had the dog.

The dog was stolen from owner Josh Duttarer during a burglary Monday afternoon. Thieves also got away with valuable electronics from Duttarer's mobile home on South Seneca.

Duttarer suffers from Spina Bifida and uses a wheelchair to get around. He said "Emmie" was in training to become a service dog to help him with household tasks.

"I don't care about the TVs. I don't care about the PS3. I just want my dog back," he said.



While Eyewitness News was conducting an interview with Duttarer, Summer Hicks called the station to say she believed "Emmie" was the dog she had picked up as a stray Monday night.

After confirming the dog's identity using microchip technology, Hicks personally returned the dog to Duttarer Monday afternoon.

"It's just like having a family member home. I couldn't imagine," Hicks said of the reunion.

Duttarer's other valuables are still missing. However, Wichita Police say they have some leads in the case and are investigating.

Source and video: http://www.kwch.com/news/kwch-rew-11-weekold-puppy-stolen-owner-asking-to-have-her-returned-20111213,0,6204632.story

Fenway, boxer puppy

Military Family Reunited With Stolen Puppy
By: Nadia Bashir
August 13, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A military family has been reunited with its stolen boxer puppy taken just weeks before one member is set to deploy overseas.

"It's an awesome feeling knowing our family has been put back together," said Erika Beatty.

Beatty's boyfriend, Craig Derifield, is a medic with the National Guard and is set to deploy in September.

His Westerville home was burglarized last month.

The couple was horrified when they learned not only had the thieves taken taken thousands of dollars in electronics but had also grabbed their boxer puppy, Fenway.

Last Thursday, detectives with Columbus police contacted Derifield while he was in Texas on military training to say they had found the pooch.

Detectives have arrested people in connection with the home invasion at Derifield's home.

Derifield says police told him the suspected burglar's girlfriend told police where the puppy had been sold.

According to his owners, Fenway is valued around $1,100. Detectives say the pooch was sold for a fraction, at $100.

Derifield bought Fenway for Erika as a birthday present in hopes the dog would help ease his absence.



Erika described the moment police brought Fenway to her: "He ran to me. He knew who I was. He came right to me. He knew who I was, and it was so exciting just to see him again."

Source: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/aug/13/6/military-family-reunited-lost-puppy-ar-685016/
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Morgan, pitbull

Owner reunited with stolen dog
Rebecca Clark
2011-12-02 18:25:35

SHELBY — Adrian Lovelace crouched down on the concrete floor and, when the kennel door had been sprung open, he called out “Morgan, Morgan.”

The black and white pit bull immediately made a beeline for Lovelace, jumping up on his chest and licking his face.

He didn’t think he would ever see his dog again.

The pit bull had been last year’s Christmas gift for his fiancée and had become a beloved family pet.

Several weeks ago, the dog disappeared.

An indoor pet for the most part, Morgan would be let out in the morning to go the bathroom and would often relax on an old loveseat on the front porch of the home on Dekalb Street.

“She would jump up and lounge,” Lovelace said.

The day she disappeared, Lovelace said Morgan had been outside while he made a quick run to the store with his son-in-law.

When they returned to the house, Morgan was gone.

At first, Lovelace thought she might have wandered off, but when she didn’t turn up after a thorough search of the neighborhood and a trip to the Cleveland County Animal Shelter, he began to lose hope of her return.

“We figured somebody put her in the car and she’s gone,” Lovelace said.

A couple of weeks after Morgan’s disappearance, two men were arrested in Shelby after animal control officers discovered that they were using pit bulls for dog fighting.

Patrick Tyler Philbeck, 21, and Daniel Blakely Bridges, 20, were arrested and charged with felony dog fighting.

A total of five dogs were seized and taken to the animal shelter.

Sam Lockridge, county health services coordinator, said he will petition the courts to have the owners cover the cost of feeding and housing the dogs. If the owners cannot pay or choose not to pay, the animals will then be turned over to the shelter to either be adopted or euthanized.

When the story appeared on the front page of The Star recently, a black and white pit bull was pictured with the story.

She is shown sitting in a kennel, ears back, her brown eyes sad and beseeching.

That dog was Morgan.

Mary Johnson, Lovelace’s fiancée, said shortly after the story ran, her sister called her and told her she had to see a photo on The Star’s website.

“I knew it was her as soon as I saw,” Johnson said.

“If her picture hadn’t have been on the front page, we never would have found her,” Lovelace said. “We got lucky. Everything came together.”

After proving that Morgan was their dog through vaccination records, Lovelace was able to take her home.

The pet was seized from Philbeck and Bridges just in time.

Lockridge said in a video police had obtained, the dog was seen pulling a sled up and down the street with a tire on top in an attempt to build up muscle.

“It’s terrible,” he said. “No reason for it.”

Lovelace said Morgan has never even been in a fight before.

“She’s very family oriented,” he said.

He said he is planning to have a microchip installed for easier identification to ensure Morgan never goes missing again.

Source: http://www.shelbystar.com/articles/stolen-60472-dog-owner.html
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Watson, maltese

Lost dog reunited with owner thanks to microchip
By Doug Kolk, Reporter
Posted: Nov 22, 2011

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A Maltese dog missing for 10 months was reunited with its owner in North Park, thanks to an identifying microchip, animal services officials said Tuesday.

When Watson vanished, owner Jamee Lynn Smith became convinced that the Maltese had been stolen. She filed a police report, called Councilman Todd Gloria's office and searched her North Park neighborhood constantly, according to the county Animal Services Department.

A week ago Tuesday, San Diego police picked up a man in Linda Vista for a psychiatric evaluation and took from him a little white dog that turned out to be Watson, identified by county employs who scanned him and notified Smith.

"I got the call last Tuesday; it was breathtaking -- I didn't think I'd ever see him again," Smith said. "A microchip is really the best present you could ever get your pet."

Dawn Danielson, the Animal Services director, said "stories like these prove that a microchip can truly be your pet's ticket home."

A pit bull brought in last month was identified as belonging to Dawn Dowling of Baton Rouge, La., who drove to San Diego to pickup her dog.


Source: http://www.cbs8.com/story/16104507/lost-dog-reunited-with-owner-thanks-to-microchip

Allie, terrier

Dog believed to have been stolen from St. Matthews is reunited with owner
WHAS11.com
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 3:19 PM

Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - WHAS11 has an update to a dog-napping story. The dog has been found in Mount Washington.

Allie - a 13-year-old terrier - disappeared after the owner tied the dog to a bench so he could talk to someone.

She was taken Sunday at a small gated community called the springs in Saint Matthews.

The owner says she was found in Mount Washington. He believes she escaped her kidnappers.

She is safe and back at home with her owner



Source: http://www.whas11.com/news/local/Dog-believed-to-have-been-kidnapped-from-St-Matthews-is-found-safe-134059423.html

Original story at: http://www.whas11.com/home/Man-says-his-dog-was-kinapped-from-his-yard-and-it-was-caught-on-video-133992768.html

Family dog kidnapped from St Matthews neighborhood with owner not far away
by Bryan Baker, WHAS11.com
Posted on November 16, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- It’s a plea from a family who just wants their beloved terrier Allie back at their St. Matthews home.

"13-year-old dog that we all raised and loved,” Jack Dulworth, Allie’s owner, said. “She's like a child to us. I know what people are going through now that have children go missing. It's just very distressful."

The terrier's picture is complete with the offer of a $1,000 reward welcomes people to The Springs, a small, gated community. She disappeared from there during a meeting Jack had at the neighborhood’s guardhouse last Sunday evening.

"I'm always concerned about traffic,” he said. “We have a nice park-like setting in the middle of our neighborhood that has a fountain. I tied her up to one of the stone benches. I've done this on numerous occasions. Fifteen minutes later I came back, and she was gone."

Less than 10 minutes after Dulworth walked toward the guardhouse video cameras captured a black van leaving.

“It was in the neighborhood for 11 minutes,” Jim Pettit, Dulworth’s neighbor and a former LMPD detective, said. “During that time they stopped, picked up Allie, and left."

Pettit says people have never seen the van. A neighbor told them the people inside it saw the dog tied to the bench and asked if it belonged to anyone. Those neighbors told those people they weren't sure. The witness never saw the dog taken.

"A very brazen theft of a loved pet," Pettit added.

According to animal experts, small pets like Allie are sometimes sold as bait dogs for training in dog fighting rings. Others are sold to laboratories at universities across the country for testing.

For Jack it's no questions asked for whoever took Allie. He just wants to see her come home.

"I pray that the person who took her did so in a loving way, because they're concerned about her, wants her to come back,” Dulworth said.

Those animal activists warn you to protect your pet, because it can happen to you. Never leave a pet unattended and consider a tracking device like a microchip.

Jack's family hopes you will help them find Allie. There's a $1,000 reward. They're looking for any information on that black van, which they say looks like a late model Dodge Caravan with Indiana plates.