Puppy stolen from shelter Santa Cruz, CA (US) Incident Date: Friday, Jul 6, 2007 County: Santa Cruz Local Map: available Disposition: Open Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 11773 Classification: Theft Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in CA (US) Suspect was in animal welfare field Login to Watch this Case

A seven-month-old Whippet mix dog-napped from a Santa Cruz animal shelter last week may be in Oakland now and headed for the East Coast, shelter officials announced.

Natasha the dog was taken from the Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Friday by a woman who pretended to be volunteering at the shelter and gave a fake name, address and references. The woman was given Natasha to walk but never returned with the dog.

According to the SPCA, Santa Cruz police received a report today from a motorist who gave the woman and the dog a ride from Santa Cruz to Oakland on Friday. The woman told the motorist that she and the dog were leaving the state.

"She was going to Oakland to get a ride to the East Coast for the apple harvest, which doesn't happen for another month so we're hopeful that she'll still be in the Oakland area," Santa Cruz SPCA spokeswoman Jennifer Moulton said.

The woman also admitted to the motorist that she stole the dog from the shelter because she could not afford to pay the $150 adoption fee, Moulton said.

The woman is described as being a white female in her twenties having dark blond hair cut short in front with a lock of hair growing out the back of her head, similar to a Hare Krishna's haircut. She wore dirty and tattered clothes and used the name "Stevie Ffloyd."

Natasha is described as being 18 inches tall and weighing approximately 22 pounds. She is a mixed breed black dog with a white stomach that has been shaved and has stitches from recent surgery. She was last seen wearing a teal and purple collar.

Anyone who has seen the woman or Natasha or who has information about this case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (831) 454-2311. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call (831) 454-2847.

The SPCA is offering a reward for Natasha's safe return.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Sheriff's Office
(831) 454-2847

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References

KTVU - July 9, 2007

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