Pierce County Crime Stoppers offer $1,000 for tip that leads to stolen dog

They’re probably on Santa’s ‘naughty list.’ Pierce County detectives say three people stole a service dog right out of the hands of its owner.

“This is a service dog who belongs to a man with a traumatic brain injury, and he’s devastated over the loss of this dog,” says Pierce County Detective Ed Troyer.

Oreo the dog was with his owner watching a baseball game at Sprinker Recreation Facility in Spanaway on May 19, around 2 p.m.

The three suspects first appeared only wanting to play with the little black and white Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix.

Later, detectives say, the suspects drove by the owner and his pooch in the parking lot, opened their car door, grabbed the dog and sped away. The owner says he dropped the leash because he was afraid the car would drag him through the parking lot.

“For lack of a better term, it was a literal kidnapping or dognapping in the parking lot. It was taken right from his hand.” says Troyer.

The suspects were believed to be driving a dark blue sedan, possibly a Honda. They have been described as two white men and a woman in their 20’s.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the dog-nappers.