A stolen puppy saga in Ypsilanti, Michigan, has come to a heartwarming conclusion just days after the theft from a local pet store, Pet City Pets. The black and tan Yorkshire Terrier, which captured public attention after a shoplifting incident, was safely returned, as confirmed by the store's owner, Stuart Collins. Footage caught on surveillance video allegedly showed a woman concealing the puppy in her coat and leaving the business, prompting an outcry for the animal's safe recovery.
Shortly before the crime, another customer had placed a deposit on the same dog, looking to bring joy into their home for Christmas. The store initially offered a $100 reward for information leading to the puppy's return. According to a post by the store on their Facebook page, "She came in to Pet City Pets at around 5 pm on Dec 22, and working with the man pushing stroller with a small boy, we have a very clear view of her putting a female black and tan Yorkshire Terrier puppy inside her coat and walking out of the store." The appeal seemed to have been effective or perhaps the gravity of the situation set in for the perpetrators, because the puppy was returned after five days.
The store expressed its gratitude on social media following the return of the Yorkie, “Our beloved Yorkie puppy is back at Pet City Pets after 5 exhausting days... We want to say a big thanks to those of you who expressed your concerns, offered suggestions, and provided valuable information regarding this case! We could not have been successful without your support,” the post read. The store reassured the public that the puppy's health was being evaluated and appreciated additional thoughts and prayers from the community. The identity of the person or persons who returned the puppy has not been disclosed. However, Collins had previously told CBS News Detroit that he intends to press charges, and police have been notified of the incident.
Details of the theft were initially publicized by the shop owner in an interview and via the business’s social media, which showed surveillance footage showing the two adults, a stroller with a small child, and the puppy in question. “I’m pretty sure (the suspects) are local because they have a little kid in a stroller with them,” Collins told MLive.
