Safe! Nieko The Stolen Dog Has Been Found In Florida

BARNEGAT, NJ - Nieko, the little dog stolen from his Barnegat home earlier this week, has been found in Florida and is safe, said his happy owner Jo Hihm on her Facebook page.

The family is heading down to pick up the 16-pound dog. Hihm is very grateful to the Barnegat Police Department and especially to Officer Brett Taylor.

"Without them, we might never have seen him again," she told Patch. "They all went above and beyond for our pup!"

Nieko, a black 13-year-old maltipoo who weighs 16 pounds, apparently got out from under the family's fence and a woman picked him up at 1:10 p.m. on Feb. 28, according to a surveillance video.

Hihm posted a picture of Nieko in Florida on her Facebook page "Bring Nieko Home."

"It looks as if she tried to return him, but then put him in her car," Hihm said of the video. "She then drove away heading West on West Bay Ave in Barnegat. She has not returned to her home, has not answered any phone calls and she has not contacted local police, animal control or any shelters in the area or surrounding areas."

The woman - whose name is Gloribel Nash or Glori Pento - drove a black Chevy Traverse with "Momma Bear" sticker on the rear driver side window. She has a home in Barnegat and another in North Brunswick, Hihm said on her Facebook page.

But Hihm is not concerned with the legal aspects of the case. She just wants her pup back.

'We are coming for you buddy!!" she wrote.

This is a developing story. Patch will update when more information is available.

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Hihm