DETROIT (WWJ) - A dog was safely reunited with its owner, and suspect is in custody, days after the animal was stolen while out for a walk on Detroit's west side.
Detroit Police Cpl. Dan Donakowski told WWJ Newsradio 950 in a Wednesday morning update that the stolen dog -- a rare French Bulldog -- was found uninjured while a suspect in the case was arrested.
According to police, home surveillance video helped them track down the individual connected to the dog napping, which occurred in the area of Greenfield and Pilgrim on Saturday, July 29.
Detroit Police Commander Vernal Newson told FOX 2 the pet owner was most likely targeted because of the kind of dog he had — a Merle French Bulldog.
"The dogs are pretty expensive from what we've learned from this owner," Newson stated.
Mele "Frenchies" are a designer dog breed that present with a genetic pattern coat color, the American Kennel Club states. Merle is characterized by irregular blotches of fur set on a lighter background of the same pigment, such as solid black on gray (called blue merle) or solid brown on tan (red merle).
Because it is harder to produce this unique color, Merle French Bulldogs are considerably more rare and expensive to own than a French Bulldog with a standard coat color. The dogs can fetch a price of at least $5,000, but have been known to go for $10,000 or more.
Merle Frenchies are not currently one of the official colors recognized by the AKC, club officials state, as purebred Frenchies don't carry the Merle gene unless they're bred with another breed, commonly merle chihuahuas. Merle French Bulldogs are typically barred from registering with the AKC and/or compete in any AKC conformation shows — but that has not stopped high demand for them or increasing cases of the expensive dogs being stolen.
"Since the pandemic, this is something that has taken place quite often," Newson said. "Not just in Detroit or in Michigan, but we have seen it across the nation."
The Cmdr. said the man out with his dog over the weekend was approached by a pair of suspects who brandished a gun and "demanded the animal" along with the man's wallet and phone.
The victim managed to run back toward his home as the suspects followed, but he retrieved his gun, Newson said, and fired shots at the duo, but they still managed to take the dog.
Newsom said the suspects took off from the area in a stolen blue-green Pontiac Grand Prix, but detectives were hopeful that they can track them down.
"We have video in the area and this is a case that we believe we'll bring closure to, soon," he said.
As complied by the AKC, the following are ways to keep your four-legged friend safe from would-be thieves, especially as pet-theft is on the rise.
• First and foremost, make sure your dog is microchipped and that the contact information on file is up to date.
• Stay tight-lipped about where you live, places you frequent with your pup, or even how much you paid for him. Remember, thieves look for high-value dogs.
• If your dog is stolen, immediately report the theft to police, call your microchip company and any lost-dog or stolen-dog databases that you know of in your area, including local shelters. You should also distribute fliers and get the word out on social media.
• Knowing the different scenarios in which thieves can prey upon your dog will allow you to safeguard your best friend from potential danger.
Newsom added that the victim and his dog took the same route they normally and that may have helped the suspects plan their attack.
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