Seven of the eight American bulldog puppies inside a car stolen from Southeast D.C. were found on Sunday and reunited with their owner, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
It’s hard not to smile when you see the 5-week-old pups: they’re affectionate, friendly and incredibly cute. That’s what made it all the more heartbreaking when they were taken away.
Authorities said the victim was loading the puppies in her Mazda CX-3, which was parked in the 1700 block of U Street SE around noon on Saturday.
She then went inside her house “for no more than two minutes,” according to a police report.
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"I stepped back in to get my bag and my coat. Went to go back outside, and the car was gone,” the owner, who did not want to provide her name out of concern for her safety, said. "Where are my babies? I just felt helpless."
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By the next morning, police had tracked her car, but the puppies were nowhere to be found. As a dog breeder and veterinary technician, she feared the worst.
"They’re still too young to care for themselves or do anything. I didn’t want them to be abused just to be sold–anything done with them. That’s not what they’re for. They’re American bullies. They’re companion animals. That’s what they’re being raised as," she said.
She and her fellow breeders got to posting on social media about the missing pups. On Sunday afternoon, she got the call she was waiting for: someone had found seven of the puppies at Benning Road and 42nd Street NE and turned them into police.
"Tears of joy. I was just ecstatic," the owner said.
But the news was bittersweet. One of the puppies is still missing. They are dark in color with white markings.
The victim said it’s hard not knowing where he is, but is thankful the rest are healthy and doing well.
“I’m hoping to get him back, but if not, I at least hope that he’s being taken care of properly," she said.
D. C. police are still searching for the thief who stole the car and the animals. The owner hopes the suspect is caught soon.
"You're taking a piece of our family. You’re taking something that we’ve worked hard for. Something that we’ve put time into," she said.
Police do not believe the citizen who found the dogs was involved with the theft.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.
