 8 pitbull puppies stolen, later sold
Decatur, IL (US)Date: Jun 17, 2006
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
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A breeder who had eight pit bull puppies stolen from her is now offering rewards for the safe return of her dogs.
Laura Hawks said the night of June 17th theft of the animals - together valued at more than $4,000 - has effectively shut down her breeding operation. She says the puppies, some already sold to customers, have documented bloodlines and are usually bought by enthusiasts who plan to show them.
"Now I am worried about what might happen," said Hawks, 31. "Dog fighting in Decatur is pretty common and I've seen a lot of dogs that have been fought."
Four of the dogs taken from her were six months old and the other four were 10-weeks-old. They were stolen from the yard of Hawks' home in the 1600 block of N. Main Street by burglars who used bolt cutters to slice through locks securing three kennels.
"It looks like they actually tipped the doghouses upside down to get the dogs out," said Hawks. "The animals must have been terrified. I am so devastated over this, I just cannot believe that somebody would do something like this and I've never had anything like it happen before."
Hawks says the police have told her the man believed to have stolen the dogs has since been arrested on unrelated charges and investigations into the theft of the animals was continuing. The arrest of a suspect in the case could not be confirmed Monday evening after calls to Decatur police.
"I understand the guy was selling them for $10 apiece and he had sold all of them," added Hawks. She said the dogs normally sell for around $500 each and that she and her husband, Brian, were getting ready to post fliers offering rewards for the safe return of the puppies.
"My breeding operation is faced with pretty much starting back at zero," she said. "But I can live with that; I just hate the fact those dogs are gone and I don't know who has them and what is happening to them."
The stolen pit bulls range in color from tan to various combinations of black and white. Pictures of them are posted on Hawks' Web site, www.mypitbulls.20fr.com. If you have information, call her on 876-7677. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top If you have information on this case, please contact:
Laura Hawks
876-7677
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