Show dogs are incredible pups: They’re stunning, well-mannered, well-groomed, and of course, a major source of pride for their owners. So to think they (or any dog!) could be stolen—for even just a minute—is terrifying. But so was the case for 14 owners, whose show dogs were taken, and thankfully found, in what turned out to be a crazy story.
On Wednesday, dog handler Tony Carter and his assistant were driving a van loaded with 14 show dogs from Seattle, Washington to Vallejo, California when they stopped at an In-N-Out Burger to grab a bite to eat. The car was left in park but still running—with the air conditioning on full blast—for only about three minutes. When Carter and his assistant returned, the van and all 14 dogs had been stolen.
But 24 hours later, an informed citizen (they had filed a police report, naturally) reported a possible van sighting in a wooded area less than 6 miles from the restaurant where it was stolen. Officers quickly responded, and found the van locked, off, and unattended—but could hear several dogs barking inside. and located the vehicle, locked, not running, and unattended. They could hear several dogs barking inside.
Likewise, the Haven Humane Society was on scene quickly too, and immediately began caring for the dogs, all of whom were inside the van. They were taken to Haven Humane to receive veterinary services, food, water, and loves.
The owners, according to the Seattle Times, were eternally grateful. “They’re our family,” one said. Couldn’t agree more.
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