Puppy stolen from local Humane Society returned

The puppy stolen from the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri over the weekend was returned Wednesday.

On Saturday, a young woman came into the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri looking for a puppy, took one outside to play in a pen and never returned, said Requi Salter, who sits on the organization's board of directors.

Wednesday morning, a young man, who Salter said she believes to be the woman's boyfriend, approached an employee who was outside playing with dogs with the puppy and claimed to have found it.

The puppy was in good condition, although it appeared to be a little hungry, Salter said.

A woman who appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties allegedly nabbed the 10-week-old Chihuahua around 4 p.m. Saturday after she took it outside to play, Salter said.

The organization has received several applications for the puppy since it gained notoriety, and it will likely be adopted in the next day, Salter said.

The Chihuahua puppy reported stolen from the Humane Society in Cape Girardeau last week. (submitted photo)

Salter said Monday that animal theft is a felony, but if the dog was returned by Wednesday the society would not press charges.

Dog theft is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, said Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney Julie Koester.

Pertinent address:

2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO