Five-year-old’s stolen puppy shaved but safe

CHUBBUCK, Idaho – A 5-year-old girl in Chubbuck has her Pomeranian puppy back after it was stolen at a park earlier this week.

Police Sgt. Robert Butterfield said Sadie Austin was working on a craft project at the park with her grandmother on Tuesday when a woman asked if she could hold the 11-week-old puppy.

Butterfield said that once the woman had the dog, she fled. Sadie and her parents, Dan and Julie Austin, had only had Tippy for two weeks.

Police received a tip about Tippy’s location and recovered the puppy Thursday. The Austins said the thief had shaved the puppy and put black marker on her nose in an attempt to disguise her.

Officers said the woman suspected of taking the puppy could face misdemeanor theft charges.