Not sure if this ever made it to Getbig, but here's a vintage Cswol story we never heard -
Chris Noland hasn’t snuggled or played with his beloved dog, Beautiful, in more than a month. He’s only seen her through pictures that the people who stole her have texted to him, along with demands for $2,000 to get her back.
In July, Noland let Beautiful, a black Staffordshire terrier mix, outside to go to the bathroom, just as he did every night. Only this time, she didn’t come back. Someone snatched her from her own backyard and is now demanding a ransom for her safe return.
“You know, I can just tell by looking at her that she’s nervous and stressed,” Noland told ABC15 as he stared at the photo on his phone.
The dognappers somehow got Noland’s cell phone number, either from Beautiful’s collar or because the thief is someone he personally knows.
“I started receiving these text messages with like spoof numbers that hide your number,” Noland explained. “The people texting said they weren’t going to give the dog back.”
Noland contacted police, but without any solid leads or a real phone number, they’re unable to do anything. So, Noland is trying a different approach. He created a Facebook page for his stolen dog, in the hopes that someone will see her and help her come home. Noland says he’s not looking to press any charges or get anyone in trouble, he simply wants his dog back home where she belongs.
Beautiful is a female Staffordshire terrier mix, she is black with white feet and white undermarkings on her chest. She is very friendly, loves to give kisses and play fetch, and barks when she’s excited. She was last seen at the Walmart on 19th Avenue and Bell Road in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 18-19th. Anyone with information about her whereabouts or her dognappers is urged to contact Chris Noland at 310-686-4031.
Please be aware that dognapping is not an uncommon practice, with some estimating upwards of 5,000 dog thefts every day. In addition to microchipping, dogs should not be left unattended outside of the home.
https://www.dogingtonpost.com/stolen-dog-being-held-for-2000-ransom/ .
(Link has video of the story).
