Thieves returned three stolen puppies to a Southeast Houston pet retailer after neighborhood suggestions and surveillance footage aided of their restoration.
HOUSTON — Three puppies stolen from a Southeast Houston pet retailer have been safely returned simply days after their disappearance, following a KHOU 11 report that sparked an outpouring of neighborhood assist and suggestions.
The theft occurred Monday at Pet Place Co., the place thieves made off with three puppies, a turtle, and merchandise totaling round $10,000. Surveillance footage captured the break-in.
“This was sudden, actually,” mentioned Adam Abidlatif, proprietor of Pet Place Co. “That’s what aired that night, and subsequent morning was all the information that got here out.”
By Wednesday, the scenario took a dramatic flip. At 2 p.m., a lady seen on surveillance video inside the shop returned one of many puppies. Later that night, a person introduced again the opposite two.
“The primary one… then these two… sure ma’am,” Abidlatif mentioned as he recounted the returns.
Whereas the puppies are actually again within the retailer, they’re being stored in quarantine for just a few days to make sure they’re wholesome earlier than rejoining different animals.
“The story was somewhat combined up,” Abidlatif mentioned, referencing the reason the girl gave when she returned the primary pet.
The case stays below investigation. Abidlatif notified native authorities and is working with one other close by pet store that additionally reported a theft. That retailer shared surveillance footage displaying a gaggle trying to entry animal enclosures earlier than efficiently stealing a ferret on Sunday. The enterprise suspects the identical people could also be chargeable for each incidents and described the ordeal as “deeply upsetting” for his or her family-run retailer.
Whereas grateful for the secure return of the puppies, Abidlatif mentioned a turtle taken through the break-in remains to be lacking. He plans to take the puppies to the vet subsequent week for a full check-up.
“They’re very weak, proper? They’re similar to a child,” he mentioned.
Abidlatif expressed appreciation to the neighborhood for spreading the phrase and serving to deliver the puppies residence.
“I wish to thank everyone for his or her assist and for sharing suggestions,” he advised KHOU 11 Information. “Total — I’m simply completely satisfied that they’re all again.”
