Good new from Memphis! Desi and Thriller were recovered this morning. Thank you for your prayers and spread of info that made these dogs too hot to hang on to.
Here is the press release detailing their recovery :
"STOLEN CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER SHOW DOGS RECOVERED!
Memphis, TN Media and police alerts, good investigative follow-up and a local Good Samaritan helped Memphis Detective Dennis Akins recover two Curly-Coated Retriever show dogs stolen Friday morning from the secure kennel runs in his back yard. Apparently, the word was out on the street that an intensive search was on for these two purloined retrievers, and the thieves released them near the Methodist North Hospital. A nurse who was on break with co-workers spotted the dogs running loose, realized they were too well-maintained to be strays, and took them to the local no-kill Bartlett Animal Shelter. While out following leads that the dogs had been spotted near the hospital Detective Akins stopped at the home of a local animal control officer Sunday morning and learned that the dogs had been recovered. Even though he was not on duty and the shelter was closed, the worker met Akins at the Bartlett Shelter, where he and his beloved canines were reunited. The $1,000 in reward money raised through friends in the Curly-Coated Retriever Club of American will be split between the nurse and the animal shelter. Crime Stoppers is still offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party.
Akins was more than relieved to get his two Curly-Coated Retrievers back. With dog-fighting rings active in the area, many pet dogs have been stolen and used as bait to train fighting dogs to kill.
Four-year-old Desi and her two-year-old son, Thriller, are more than just your average pets, both are top show champions. Desi, whose AKC registered name is Ch Pizzazz Topped with Desire, won Best of Opposite Sex at the January 2005 and 2006 Eukanuba Invitational National Championship shows. She is also rated in the Top 25 Curly-Coated Retrievers in the United States and has been invited to compete again at this year’s Eukanuba Invitational. Her son, Thriller, is also a multiple group-placing dog.
Akins was seriously injured in the line of duty in August 2003, suffering a very badly fractured leg while attempting to apprehend a suspect. Caring for his dogs helped him heal emotionally and physically during his long and painful recovery. One of his Curly-Coated Retrievers even saved Akins’ life during a hunting trip.
The Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America (
www.ccrca.org) joined Dennis Akins in offering the reward for the return of these rare and beautiful retrievers, and is thrilled that the coordinated efforts of so many people led to a successful outcome in this case. If you have any information about the theft, contact the Memphis Police Department at 901-545-4559 or CRIME STOPPERS 901-528-CASH (2274) and crime stopper tips are anonymous. "
There is a God!
Hopefully these vile people will be caught before any other dogs are stolen for these purposes.
