Dog snatched from SPCA

A brazen dog-napping took place Wednesday at the Ontario SPCA Sudbury and District Branch on Notre Dame Ave.

A woman with short black hair, around 5’5” and 180 pounds, dressed in purplish/pink coat, pink toque and jeans entered the SPCA looking to adopt a dog. She indicated an interest in Tales, a two-year-old, black and tan, female rottweiller mix.

“She said she had a rottweiller before and someone stole it,” Beaudoin said.

After filling out an application, the woman took the dog for a walk.

“If people are interested, we allow them to spend some time alone with the dog,” said SPCA employee Giselle Beaudoin.

Beaudoin, who is new at the animal shelter, said she became concerned when the woman and Tales didn’t return after about 20 minutes.

After talking to her supervisor, they gave the woman another 10-15 minutes before contacting police.

The information the woman gave on the application, including name, phone and address turned out to be false.

“We would greatly appreciate any assistance in locating Tales,” Ontario SPCA Sudbury and District Branch manager Al Bentley said in a news release issued Wednesday.

“I cannot believe someone would blatantly steal one of our animals. It’s very upsetting to all the shelter staff to have an animal stolen like this.”

Tales was transferred to the Sudbury shelter from Timmins on Sept. 28. She is spayed and also microchipped for identification.

In light of the theft, Beaudoin said the SPCA is changing its procedures when people come in to adopt animals, including asking for identification. 

“We’re going to be more strict in how we let people deal with the dogs.”

Beaudoin set up a group on Facebook called HELP FIND TALES!!!!!!!! to help track down the missing down.

Anyone with information, contact the SPCA at 566-9582. Information can be left anonymously. You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or police at 675-9171.

-Tracey Duguay