Puppy Thieves Strike In IE: How To Keep Your Pooch Safe

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — A woman and her child have been reunited with their Doberman Pinscher puppy, Blue, after two alleged thieves stole him from them in broad daylight.

The incident unfolded around 3:42 p.m. Sunday, March 30. The woman and child were in the vicinity of Valley Boulevard and Alder Avenue in Bloomington with Blue when a young man and woman started asking questions about the adorable pup.

"They had an engaging conversation about dogs and the care of dogs," according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

As the chat continued, the female suspect asked Blue's family if she could hold the puppy. The mother gave her OK, and the conversation went on.

At one point, the male suspect asked for more information, so the mother reached into her vehicle to get a card for the duo.

"When she looked back up, both suspects were running away with Blue," according to the sheriff's department. "They entered an awaiting vehicle and sped away."

Through detective work, the alleged thieves were identified as 21-year-old Milagro De Las Mercedez and 18-year-old Elian Perez, both of San Bernardino.

Deputies tracked down both suspects and Blue. The puppy was returned to the mother and child, while Perez and De Las Mercedez were sent to Rancho Cucamonga's West Valley Detention Center.

How can you prevent a scenario like the one that happened to Blue? According to a report from the American Kennel Club, when it comes to dognapping, it’s essential to be aware and prepared.

"In just a matter of seconds, you can become the victim of a criminal who sees your dog as a quick and easy way to make a buck," the AKC reports.

It's unclear why Blue was allegedly stolen, but dognappers often take pooches and resell them. For many heartbroken families and distressed pups, reunification never happens.

To protect against dognappers, the AKC offers tips:

• Never leave your canine unattended in a public place, including inside a vehicle.
• If your yard is accessible or visible to strangers, keep a close eye on your pup. "Dognappers will use whatever tricks they can to lure your precious pet away from your home," according to the AKC.
• Even when you and your dog are out for a walk, there is still a potential for danger. Keep your pooch on a leash and don't let others handle him.
• If you do meet strangers in public, stay tight-lipped about where you live, the places you frequent with your pup, or even how much you paid for him. "Remember, thieves look for high-value dogs," according to the AKC.
• Make sure your dog is microchipped and that the contact information on file is up to date.
• If your dog is stolen, immediately report the theft to police. Call your microchip company, and reach out to 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, the AKC advises.

Anyone with more information about Blue's alleged theft is urged to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at 909-356-6767. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.