Dognapper on the Loose, Residents Fear

May 1, 2008

MARION, N.C. – Since last week, residents in Sugar Hill, N.C., are keeping a closer eye on their family pets -- particularly the designer pure breeds -- after a rash of dogs have allegedly been stolen.

“You know,” Jenny Price told The McDowell News about the string of missing dogs. “A drug fiend can take a couple of Corgis and turn them into a few hundred dollars in no time.”

This is the third community which has apparently fallen victim to pet thieves as reported by Pet Pulse since mid-January.

Price had her two Yorkshire terriers stolen from her property on Nix Creek Church Road. During her week-long search through the neighborhood, she found she was not alone in her experience.

“One woman I know on East Payne Road had her Shih Tzu disappear the same day,” Price said. “And another on Marler Road just a few days before had her Welsh Pembroke Corgis disappear.”

The most difficult aspect about Price’s ordeal, was the what-if factor as one of the yorkies was nursing two one-week-old puppies. Fortunately, the same neighbor, whose Shih Tzu is missing, had another Shih Tzu that was also nursing pups.

That Shih Tzu then “adopted” the terrier pups until their mother was found -- which happened to be Wednesday afternoon.

Price said a couple claiming to be from Old Fort, returned the two terriers with the explanation that the dogs had jumped into their vehicle.

But Price remains suspicious, since she says neither dog is apt to go in strange vehicles, considering her dogs’ shy nature and one’s strong dislike of automobiles.

While Price is glad for their return, her heart goes out for the neighbors whose pets are still missing.

In College Grove, Tenn., had several families’ American Kennel Club-registered dogs stolen during a two week period of time in mid-February.

Among the dogs missing from the small community near Nashville were a Saint Bernard and an Australian Shepherd. To read this story, search “Dog Nappers Target Nashville-Area Pure Breeds.”

While just weeks before this string of apparent nappings occurred, two men posing as animal control officers attempted to kidnap dogs from the St. Charles area of Missouri. To read this story, search “Dog-nappers Pose as Animal Control.”

Tell us what you think about “Dognapper on the Loose, Residents Fear” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

The McDowell News contributed to this article.