Puppy stolen from pet store, found neglected
Albany, NY (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006
County: Albany
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
A puppy was stolen from a pet store, then discovered near death. He is just 4-months-old with no name or permanent home. And that is only the half of this dogs tale. He did not do anything wrong, yet he is behind bars and the central figure in a Guilderland criminal case. The Australian Shepherd's tale as a "hot" dog began about a month ago, when it was stolen from a pet store at Crossgates Mall. "Apparently it was closing time and they walked out of the store with the dog," said Guilderland Police Lt. Curtis Cox.
Tips led police to the Governor's Inn Motel, and now a couple from Voorheesville is accused of stealing the puppy worth 14 hundred dollars. They are charged with grand larceny, but they face even more after the Shepherd was diagnosed with pneumonia. "As a result of that, we are also considering charges for animal cruelty," Lt. Cox said.
"Once you meet this dog you fall in love with him, it's over...you are peanut butter in his little paws," says Rich Savage, with Guilderland Animal Services. But his little paws are tied. Considered stolen property, the pilfered pup is now evidence in the trial against his dognappers.
"We will present the dog just as we would any other kind of evidence," says Lt. Cox. "But of course, it's a live and animal and we will take very good care of it."
And while he waits for his day on the stand, the puppy who does not yet have a name is getting lots of love and care at the Guilderland Animal Hospital. "Hopefully whoever gets him will send us pictures and have a good track record of this little guy because he deserves the best," says Savage.
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