A miniature poodle named Teddy, who was stolen from his home in Ontario nearly a year ago when he was 4 months old, has finally been reunited with his family.
According to his guardian, Alaina Tripp, a man named Paul Sheehan frequented her neighborhood and often asked if he could watch Teddy while she was at work. She declined. A month after Teddy joined her family, she returned home to discover that the dog was gone, local news reported. Tripp’s heart was shattered, but her determination to find Teddy was unwavering.
Ten months later, Tripp was surprised to receive a call from Riverton, Wyoming, with extraordinary news: Teddy had been found.
When Riverton Police Officer Don Nethicumara pulled Sheehan over for running a red light, Teddy was discovered sitting on his lap. Sheehan was cited for drug possession, but he was not arrested at that time. The officer later took Teddy when he discovered Sheehan had a warrant in Canada for stealing the dog.
Nethicumara noted Teddy’s matted fur, but when he brought him to the police station, he seemed in good spirits. He stayed at the station for a few days, keeping himself entertained with a ball, before the Paws for Life animal shelter took him in.
“It seemed like Teddy had been cooped up in the car for so long,” Nethicumara said. “He was running wild … playing fetch by himself.”
The joy was palpable as Teddy wiggled his way into the hearts of all the officers. They couldn’t resist his playful antics, so they posted heartwarming videos of him on Facebook, spreading joy to the entire community.
Riverton Police Department/Facebook
Unfortunately, Nethicumara learned that the warrant for stealing Teddy wasn’t extraditable, so they needed another way to get him home. After a brief stay at Paws for Life Animal Shelter while arrangements were made for transport, Teddy’s family raised enough funds through the help of a GoFundMe started by a friend and safely brought Teddy back home across international borders. Tripp reported that he is happy and enjoying getting to know his new canine brother, Milo.
Lady Freethinker commends the Riverton Police Department and Officer Don Nethicumara for getting Teddy back home.
