Posted on 09/19/2016 4:56:24 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
JANESVILLE, WI (WMTV) -- A puppy is back where he belongs after being stolen from a Janesville pet store over the weekend. Petland reported the theft Saturday, after a couple who was playing with an 11-week-old pug walked out of the store with it.
But thanks to tips reported to the Janesville Police Department and old fashioned policing, officers were able to return the puppy back to the store Monday morning, an outcome the pet store owner is more than grateful for.
"We're so glad to have you back here, we're going to take good care of you," Petland store owner, Mike Sardina, said as he held the 6 lb pug.
For the first time in Sardina's 12 years as the owner, a pup was nabbed in plain sight.
"They asked to play with the pug so the sales associate gave it to them. He got distracted by another customer to purchase another item and before you know it, they put the dog under their shirt and walked out the door really quickly," Sardina said. "These little guys are babies and we were very concerned he wouldn't get the proper healthcare, nutrition, just the proper care from somebody that would go so low to steal a puppy."
A concern many via social media also had. After Police posted the surveillance photos, it did not take long to stop a suspect.
"This morning with the information we had developed we started looking for the suspect," Janesville Police Sgt. Dean Sukus, said. "Within a few short minutes our follow-up officer noticed the vehicle being driven by the male suspect and low and behold he was there and the dog was in the vehicle with him."
Police arrested 20-year-old Thomas Haye for Felony Retail Theft and Dognapping. They also arrested Allison Prijic as a party to those crimes.
"A lot of the thanks goes the public it was their information that got us where we are," Sgt. Sukus said.
"The puppy looks to be in great health. We're going to have him examined by the vet tomorrow, but so far everything looks wonderful and we're just so thankful and appreciative," Sardina added.
In response to this incident, Petland has changed its story policy to require photo ID in order to play with the animals.
In appreciation of Janesville Police, Petland has decided all profits from the sale of the puppy will be donated to the department's K9 unit.
I'll bet people are lining up around the BLOCK to buy that puppy!
I am currently raising seven Treeing Walker Coon Hound pups. They are going on 9 weeks old, and I would be devastated if anything happened to them while in my charge.
Yes, we'll only be keeping ONE from this litter, but they're still all very special to me.
I love a Happy Ending. It's a Win/Win for the pet shop owner and Law Enforcement in that city.
Dognapping is an actual charge?
I have to say that is a very fine gesture Petland is making to donate the future proceeds of the puppy to the K9 unit.
There is nothing in this world I love more than dogs, except officer dogs. How impressive!
Or about a quarter-ton of dog:)
We sent this to US Pug Clubs to get additional info on this dog. We are longtime pug owners and we want to know where this pug came from.
PUPPY FOUND
Probably an Amish puppy mill.
“Look a squirrel(puppy)”.
My initial thought was that it was the product of a puppy-mill. Alas, many pet store puppies are.
I’m glad you did; I’m 100% against Puppy Mills.
This store has been in business a long time and has a good reputation. I don’t think they’d be going public with this theft if they had anything to hide.
I hope I’m right. Please keep me in the loop!
They ARE a handful, that’s for sure! But I’m loving every minute of it because it doesn’t last very long. :)
And *I* am not a Puppy Mill, either! Our dog, Gunner (Nite Champion) and our friends dog, Emma (also a Nite Champion) are the Papa and Mama and each and every pup has turned out perfect. Five females and two males. We’ll each keep one and the rest will be either Raccoon hunters or Bear hunters, depending upon personalities and abilities. Quite a few members of our club are very excited to get a hold of one of these pups from proven bloodlines.
There are three that are REALLY outstanding, already - very vocal, very inquisitive and very bold. The other four will be OK dogs...but you never know...they CAN surprise you when it’s crunch time. ;)
This is only the second litter I’ve raised in the past four years; we’re not just cranking them out. I’m learning a lot!
Without a doubt.
Petland keeps the puppies in what amounts to blindingly bight, grate-floored dog aquariums.
Once, I need a t-stat for my snakes and only Petland had one in stock.
After seeing those depressed pupies and the lone, emaciated, dehydrated Rainbow Boa, I walked out.
Bought the stat online.
Have never been back.
They shut down the local one, decades ago, for multiple abuse violations.
https://www.thedodo.com/petland-holiday-puppy-mill-1512055496.html
They have a deservedly *horrendous* reputation.
*All* of my dog forums despise them and for good reason.
Well, good to know. At least ONE pup will be out of there soon.
The Pug puppy was adopted, today. The new owners named him, ‘Daniel.’
His purchase price (they didn’t say, but I’m guessing at least $500) was donated to the Janesville, WI K-9 Unit.
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