Stolen dogs recovered in Scott County, three men arrested

A Scott County dog theft investigation ended Monday in three arrests and the recovery of several stolen dogs, said Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter. Kevin C. Rhodes, 20, of Chaffee, Mo., Larry D. Tanner, 21, of Delta and Larry Babb, 27, of Scott City all face two felony counts each of stealing animals. All three men were arrested Friday and posted their $5,000 bonds over the weekend. Their cases are set for arraignment on Aug. 25 in Scott County Associate Circuit Court. The three men had been working for a local sanitation service, spotting the dogs during their shifts, then returning later to steal them, Walter said. Four bulldog puppies were returned to their owners, and investigators are attempting to find numerous other dogs they suspected had been stolen by the suspects.