Stolen dog welcomed home

Jeff Bell
Victoria Times Colonist
Thursday, September 04, 2003

Charlotte the dog is back home after being snatched from her yard over the Labour Day weekend.

Two days after the three-year-old collie/German shepherd cross went missing, the loss was compounded when the thief sneaked back and left a note on the owner's car -- saying Charlotte was taken because she wasn't being treated well enough.

The note also said the dog spent too much time alone and should be kept in better conditions.

Losing their dog was devastating for Rebecca Hunt and her nine-year-old son. The single mom said her child has a special bond with Charlotte.

"My son was pretty excited when we went and picked her up," Hunt said Wednesday, a few hours after being reunited with the family pet.

"I'm happy to have the dog back, and I hope (the person who took her) won't do it again."

Saanich police found the dog-napper Tuesday evening during a door-to-door canvas of Hunt's Tattersall-area neighbourhood. A woman who lives in the vicinity admitted to the theft when questioned by an officer, Saanich police Const. Chris Horsley said.

She had taken the dog to the SPCA.

Horsley said it does not appear that charges will be laid against the woman, saying she acted with apparent "good intentions" and was under the impression the dog might have been neglected in some way.

"I think, looking at the bigger picture, this is someone who thought they were doing the right thing. However there are resources in place, whether it's the SPCA or Saanich pound, or whether it's CRD bylaw, there are proper resources in place where you can report.

"Certainly we do not condone taking things into your own hands."

Horsley said an earlier complaint made against the way the dog was kept was investigated by animal-control officers and found to be without merit

"Animal control found nothing untoward at all. The dog was well fed, there was water (and) the dog has a long run behind the home."

In an anonymous message sent to the media, the woman who took Charlotte said she felt the dog was not receiving enough attention.

"My opinion is if you want something to sit in the yard, get a cow. A dog is a pack animal and should be a member of the family."

She said she would always see the dog by itself when she walked by with her own pet.

"As time passed I became so sad for the dog I changed the route I walked my dog. And I found myself thinking about her at night."

She said she had considered calling the SPCA but didn't know if that would change things. She said she realized the actions she took were wrong.

The note was signed "an animal lover, not a criminal."