According to a release from the Sterling Police Department, the dogs, valued at $7,100, were stolen between 8:30 p.m. July 20 and 8:30 a.m. July 21. Revord said the puppies stolen were younger, smaller -- and cuter -- passing up older puppies and adult dogs. The SPD said the puppies missing are:
Five Teddy Bear puppies, (four females and one male); Four Shorkies (Yorkie/Shihtzu), (three female and one male); Two black Tea Cup Poodles (one female and one male); One male Tea Cup poodle; One white male Malti-Poo; Four red Doxi (three female and one male); One female red and white Doxi; and
One red pie Doxi.
Revord said the thief or thieves also took a large bag of puppy food, but none of the other supplies used to nourish the puppies. Tea-cup puppies require special care, she noted. "It takes a lot of knowledge to take care of these puppies," she said. "They don`t have (the puppies`) shot records; they don`t know anything about these puppies."
The business did not suffer any damage in the break-in, said Revord, who was out of town.
Several of the puppies had potential owners lined up, Revord said, although she prefers not to collect deposits in advance. Working with families to select the right puppy is part of the process of caring for them, she said, and helps the family and dog to form a lifelong relationship.
While she is more concerned that whoever took the dogs is taking care of them, and that they go to homes where they will happy and healthy, she would like whoever is responsible for the theft apprehended. She noted that without records, the thief or thieves will likely be selling the dogs from street corners or parking lots, and will not be able to offer a guarantee. She said she did contact Humane Societies in the area, as well as the Association of Pet Store Owners, in case someone tries to sell or get rid of the puppies en masse.
"Hopefully people are smart," and report any suspicious puppy offers, she said.
Logan County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information on this crime, if the tip is received by Aug. 8. If you have information on this crime, or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 522-EYES (3937) or 1-800-444-3776. You give your information, not your name, and can earn a reward for useful tips leading to the arrest of criminals.