The subject of a well-publicized dognapping has been found.
Cooper, a one-year-old miniature pinscher who was taken Oct. 8 from the Penticton branch of B.C. SPCA, was recovered this week.
“Being reunited with Cooper is the best Christmas present I could imagine,” branch manager Corrine Ross said in a press release.
“We were all devastated when he was stolen and we have been worried sick about him for months. We had no idea where he was or if he was safe.”
Ross said the dog — a little underweight and nervous but otherwise OK — was located by police following up on a tip received through social media.
“Unfortunately, the RCMP has indicated that there is not enough evidence to proceed further with the case, but we are so thrilled to have Cooper back with us,” she added.
SPCA staff has already arranged an adoption for Cooper, who was positively identified using a pet identification tattoo and is currently being cared for at a foster home.
He was one of 14 dogs and seven horses removed by the SPCA from a property in the Vernon area in early October.
Due to space constraints at the Vernon branch, the animals were transferred to the Penticton shelter, where someone scaled a fence and cut a hole in a fence to take Cooper.
