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BPO Growl & Howl Forum => Groans, Gripes, Brags & Boasts => : Care2Adopt March 23, 2008, 12:45:47 AM
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I can't believe this happened. I am still shaking and its been several hours.
I took the dogs to the park today, so Whiskey could swim and I could work with Annie and Cisco on leash training (a little bit of progress in that they move now with a leash on, but still have no intention of walking with you)
On the way back to the house we swung by Petsmart to pick up some chewwies. I left the kiddos in the car and just took Whiskey in, since A) 3 perfectly behaved dogs would be too many in a store, and B) these are NOT 3 perfectly behaved dogs.
I rolled the windows down, gave them kisses and locked the doors and went inside. It was about 70 degrees out but I still didnt want to leave them too long so we weren't in there but a few minutes.
When I came out, I heard a puppy crying. At first I was a little confused, then I realized it was startled/hurt yelping and it was coming from the direction where I was parked.
Someone was pulling Annie out of the side window. She must have jumped up on the window and they reached in and grabbed her scruff and started hauling her out. They had her about half way out by the time I saw them, and she had spread her legs and locked her hips in the window and was screaming when I walked out of the store. The guy trying to take her was yanking on her neck trying to get her disloged from the window when I saw them.
I screamed at them and screamed help into the store and dropped my bag and ran at them. He dropped her and she hung from the car and I went straight for her to catch her before she could fall and break something and in the meantime I dropped whiskey's leash.
Whiskey kept going after the guy, and so did a store employee who was getting shopping carts. The employee caught him before Whiskey did and tackled him and pinned him while I dialed 911. He was a middle aged hispanic man who apparently didn't speak english, or didn't want to, because he wouldn't respond at all to me. He just shrugged at me and looked away. Bastard.
Annie is ok- I took her to the emergancy vet and she doesn't appear to have twisted anything or strained anything from being sea-sawed over the window. Cisco and she are both fairly traumatized- Cisco is of course too big to go through the window, but was cowered on the other side of the car and shaking when I got in to him- I think his sister's screams just really freaked him out. I bought all three of them ice cream and we came home and just tried to relax, but I have been back and forth panicked, furious, and crying all day. The police really pissed me off too because they were only going to charge him with attempted larceny which is like nothing, instead of dog-theft which is a felony.
Anyway.. just thought I would vent a bit.. the closest thing thats ever happened like this was we had two men break into my backyard and into the kennel to either steal rescues or perhaps MaiTai (my greenwing macaw who was new and in quarentine from the other birds) but they didn't get far at all before the alarm system caught them and so it really wasn't nearly as frightening as this. My poor little annie bear........
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OMG - how horrific! I got so panicked and weepy too when I read your post! I am still shaking, I cant even imagine how you feel Thankfully Annie is okay and you too! That scumbag should be slapped with a felony at the very least!
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I am in shock! It is really cool the employee tackled the guy before he could get away, but the way the cops behaved is unreal. He should definately get a felony!!! How flustrating. Thank God you came out when you did, and that Annie is ok.
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OMG!!! That is sooooo scary! I can't believe that happened, it's just awful that someone would try to steal a pup like that. Thank goodness you came out and the employee helped and you are all ok.
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I think I may have ended up with an assault charge if someone tried to steal Phelan! I had never heard of Dog Theft as a charge before so I googled it, could be different in your state, but you would need to prove that he attempted to steal her to be used in dog fighting for that charge. Unfortunately pets are classified as property otherwise and it is a misdemeanor charge. Police don't write the laws they enforce them - don't kill the messenger.
*Sorry that sounds a little harsh, you should see all the Police Officers at the dog park, they love dogs too and I'm sure would like to do more.
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Thank goodness you got there in time. My husband thinks I'm nuts for thinking of stuff like that but I am always paranoid about leaving the windows down. I am so glad your baby is safe and I hope that guy does get some punishment at least.
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I hate to hear that, I believe you live close to me in NC. Also I did want to let everyone know that there IS a puppy theft ring and it is everywhere. The people that are stealing the dogs are not getting anything...may be a fine. There was one puppy that was jerked out of the owners hand and the owner knocked down. I will post more about that including the state when I have the permission to cross post the story. Right now due to the investigation, we have been asked not to say too much other than this is going on everywhere and when the police arrive at the peoples house they are told they are a "rescue group" so please....get your dogs microchipped, this was the only way some of these dogs have been returned.
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Oh God! Poor Annie! Good for her for resisting. It probably gave you just enough time to come out of the store and stop it from happening. What a good girl! Thank God for that store employee too! We need more people like him to step up and do the right thing. I can't imagine what you must be going through. As I read your post all I could think about was if I saw someone trying to get Sierra out my car, or if, God forbid, I came back out and she was gone. I'm starting to hyperventilate and shake just thinking about it. Your babies will recover quickly with your love and attention and you will recover also with their love and attention. Poor Cisco... Wondering what was happening to his sis... This is so upsetting.
When you bring cookies to the store employee, I'd bring Annie so he can see the sweet baby he helped to save. Get a picture of them together and suggest to the manager that he post it up in the store. I'd also send the pic and the story to the local papers so the employee gets the recognition he deserves for his heroism.
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OMG! How scary!! I am so happy Annie is ok. Kudos to the you and the store employee for thinking so quickly. I hope the guy gets charged and hopefully is too scared to ever dognap again!!
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Holy cow!!! I want to second what everyone else has said and add;
WAY TO GO WHISKEY!!!!!!!!!
Man, as I was reading I was hoping he caught the guy!! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the employee caught him, if Whiskey had he'd probably try to sue you, but man I was hoping!!!
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OH MY GOD!! That is HORRIBLE!
OK, now, take your contract and a reciept/copy of check or whatever, to show them that Annie is a thousand dollar dog! They may not understand the "Value" of Annie in terms of $$, and maybe that would make it a felony. Not that she is more valuable than a mutt, but, legally, she actually IS. If he had tried to steal a thousand dollar stereo out of your car, you'd better believe he'd have a felony then!! What a piece of...well, you know, POOP, but with different letters.
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oh noes!! Things like this get me sooo MAD!! Such horrible people - and on Easter too... The guy was probably catholic too - part of me wishes I had been there to yell at him too and just generally shame him and remind him of his mother... Which always works with bad Hispanic men! Not sure if with good ones.... Never had to do it to them... Anyways, he's just terrible and I just hope at least karma gets him! I'm still angry tho because people like that obviously cannot be good dog owners, so why the F must he F with good people like you who love their pups?!!! GRRR >:(
Anyways, I'm really glad annie fought it (lucca just follows anyone -especially strangers...) & that you and the kids are fine :) ooh, and go you whiskey!!
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OMG what a horrible thing to happen. I am glad you came out when you did.
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OMG!! How horribly scary!
I am so so glad that Annie is alright and that the man was caught.
I agree to show that she is an expensive dog, that would up the charges a bit I think.
And I also agree to tell the local paper about the employees bravery in catching the thief. May pressure the police to bring sticter charges as well.
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Sorry you had to go thru something so horrible.
Wonderful that you are all safe.
It's too bad that your foot didn't accidentally slip into the crotch of the attempted robber.
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Wonder if ICE should have been called- And did he just get a ticket and let loose? Poor Annie.
Its sad that you cant even leave the pup in the car for just a few minutes. I got to where I was always taking a blanket and would put the pyr pups on the blanket inside of a shopping cart when I had to get them out.
I would persue the matter with local law enforcement. Insist that additional charges be brought.
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That is just horrifying. I was at the dog park once, with my Cabo when he was alive, and some guy tried to take him from the dog park! The guy was petting him and then just bent over and clipped a leash to his collar and started walking out of the park. Of course, I was watching my dog, so I saw the whole thing and flew at him like a rabid weasel. What is wrong with people?
I hope that Annie is okay and not too traumatized. I agree with mastiffmomoftw o - Mr. Foot should have taken an accidental visit to Crotchtown.
So sorry you had to go through this - thank God you were right there...
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OK some updates:
Mr. No Good Thief is on his second arrest according to the officer I talked to.
Good news! Thanks to Scott's (the employee that tackled him) testimony that Mr-no-good-!@*#&@#*& thief had Annie OUTSIDE the car when he took off, they were able to charge him with Grand Theft, and because of Annie's screaming, Animal Abuse. I had the person who gave me Annie (I was actually given annie, not charged for her, but still) call them to verify that her pet quality puppies are sold for $1000, which made the difference in the Theft-Grand theft.
SCOTT, IE Annie's hero for catching the bastard, AND holding him there, got an all expense paid trip to dinner tonight with his family. I bought him a gift certificate for the cheesecake factory, bought his dog a gift basket, and gave his daughter a little stuffed golden retriever. Funnily enough, Scott was in the Army with my ex husband. Small world! His boss is also very aware of the situation since I had to run inside and ask for help to get more people to come out in case there was a fight, and he was very nice and helpful. Once the guy was pinned the boss brought out big heavy duty box zip ties and zip tied his hands behind his back and his feet together and then they let him sit up until the police could get there.
Annie and Cisco are doing much better now, and don't seem any worse for the ware, except Annie still doesnt want to get in the car. I have been picking her up and feeding her cookies and treats and peanutbutter in the car to try to get her over the fear.
Can you imagine how hard it was for me not to hit this guy? If I had caught him I dont think anything could have held me back, I would have wailed on him. Unfortunatly I have this whole, not-hitting-a-subdued prisoner thing, HA! The whole time we were waiting for the police to show up (didnt take long) I was pacing around thinking about how I used to box in my teens and wondering just how hard I could get ONE right hook in. I did rant and rave at this guy and told him that if Annie was hurt I would see to it that he go to jail for a VERY long time.
Anyway- theres your updates! Thanks for all the kind words. Its been a nightmare. I'm just glad she is ok.
Oh, and LOL Also, Whiskey took off after the guy, but I have no doubts if he caught them he would have just licked him and wiggled around. He wasn't going after him aggressively, just knew I was running after him and the guy was running still when I dropped his leash so I guess he thought it was a game. When Scott tackled the guy, Whiskey was dancing around them licking their faces. ::) ::)
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holy crap.!!!!!!! I have spent 20 years working on self control and I dont think I would have had the self control you displayed. You did all the right things, by going to get help and not just chasing the bastard down and having to be involved in a fight where you could have gotten injured. Good for you. Your smart actions saved your pup. I am so happy you and your dogs are doing well, and are safe and sound. Please post as to what happens to the person who did this. If you can find out WHY he would steal a dog, it would be helpful so we can all be more aware. Have a safe and peaceful night, full of wet happy dog kisses. Brooklily's mum
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Holy cow! I am glad to hear that you are all doing ok. We worry all the time. I am originally from the east coast and my husband always thinks I am silly for thinking someone might try to take off with one of the dogs. I had him put masterlocks on the fence to keep both the dogs in and strangers out! People can be sooooo cruel. Hope the pups and you can take a deep breath and get in a good cuddle after all this gets taken care of. What is the world coming to???
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My heart still pounds thinking about it and reading your update. I am glad they increased the charges.
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Glad to hear they decided to charge him "properly". That was very nice what you did for Scott.
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I am so glad that you came out when you did and reacted so quickly and did all the right things (by calling for help etc.)
Poor Annie and Cisco that had to be so scary; as for you I can't even imagine what I would have done in your situation; I'm sure I wouldn't have handled it as well.
I was talking to one of my friends about what happened and she wanted to know how come they weren't charging him with an additional charge of animal cruelty? But from the update I see that they are.
It just kills me that people have so little values and morals that they see something they want and just take it...what is wrong with some people.
Please give hugs and kisses to all of your beautiful babies for me and I hope Annie gets over her fear of the car.
Randy and Harley
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JUSTICE! It's great when it actually works the way it was intended to! I'm so sad that Annie has car phobia now, but if anyone can get her past it, YOU can! Wow - what a story! Sooo glad they upped it to Grand Theft, too!
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What an awesome update! I'm glad he's not just getting a slap on the wrist.
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How did I miss this?? What a near-tragedy!! I'm so glad it played out like it did. Please tell Scott he is OUR hero, too!! What a great guy, and the store manager - quick thinking grabbing those zip ties.
I think you should write a letter to PetSmart's corporate offices telling them about the situation and how wonderfully their employees reacted to it and helped you out. They definitely deserve all the kudos they can get.
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I'm so glad to hear your update--it sounds like this thief will be charged as he deserves to be.
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What a HORRIBLE experience! >:( Those poor Puppers! Poor you! That guy is a real Wacko & I hope they throw the book at him.
It's a happy update though. The guy from Petsmart is a real Hero & it's wonderful that you showed your appreciation in such a lovely and loving way. :-*
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I'm glad everything turned out okay...Hopeful ly that jerk gets what he deserves...mak es me sad to think about what the world is coming to...
Same thing happened to me once...not such a happy ending though...Someo ne stole my pitbull puppy out of the car and took his collar off and left it on the hood, and the door wide open.
I always wonder what happened to Shiloh and I pray that he's okay...
Annie and Cisco and Whiskey are sooo lucky to have you to protect them! I don't think I wouldve handled everything as well as you did... I'd probably be in jail lol
What a heroic ending!!! XOXO Audrey, Monty & Roscoe
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I'm so glad to hear such great news after what could have been a terrible tragedy. That was a wonderful thing you did for Scott and his family too. A fitting reward for a BPO hero! What PetSmart was this? I think we should inundate them with letters of praise for Scott for saving precious Annie. I'm sure Annie will get over her fear of the car and I'm glad they are charging him with Grand theft and animal abuse. It may be a drop in the bucket, but if it makes one would-be dog thief change his mind, then it is SOOO worth it.
Even if Whiskey thought it was a game, that guy probably didn't know it when he saw a dog barreling down on him!! I would love to have heard what was running through his head when he saw Scott AND another dog chasing him down.
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I'm so glad that the charges were upped to something more appropriate.
That was very nice of you to get Scott and his family those gifts.
I still think there should be a story in the local paper. Would make a great pr story, and maybe other dog owners will learn something too.