Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.

Update Scooter Has Been Found! : Couple Witnesses Their Pet Terrier Snatched From Yard

I'm feeling very sad for the Recuperos and hoping spreading the news will liken the chances of this little guy finding his way back to his home.

Picture of Scooter and thief's car and appearance description at the link.

Couple Witnesses Their Pet Terrier Snatched From Yard

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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on February 9, 2012 at 9:52am

I know that they probably shouldn't have let the dog out in a shared apartment complex with it not being on a leash and all, but still....so sad! No one deserves that. I hope they find the guy, and the dog! I wonder if it was microchipped...

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on February 9, 2012 at 9:53am

I do hope they get their dog back, but it was their own fault that aided to his being taken. Florida does have such a thing called a Leash Law. Doesn't matter if you are on your own property or not, if there's no fence they are to be leashed. If you have no fenced yard, there is a dog park on the dog park that was near them so the dog can run. We don't have a fenced yard and I always take out our Min Pin on the leash. Doesn't matter if I'm sick, don't feel like going out cause it's to hot, or hurting (like now my knee has been swollen and pains me to go up and down the 4 steps to take him), he is ALWAYS on the leash. I've seen folks around here put their dogs out to do their business and most are pure breed dogs/puppies and stay inside. Always figured they must not care about the dogs if they send them out with a chance of being taken or hit by cars. Believe it or not, these are the same people that let their kids outside on their own without supervision as young as 2 yrs old. Really??? There's one family that has let their son 2-3 yrs old run around with just underware on. Anyone can snatch him up. They rather stay in doors where it's cool or on the phone instead of watching their kids. I'm sorry to say but if your dogs get snatched because you let them loose without being right there or do the same to your kids, then don't cry when they go missing. I know some may not understand my reasoning, but it gets me upset and I try to bite my tongue. This is strictly my own opinion with the reasoning (even though I know I'm not alone in it). I do though hope they get their dog back in one piece and learn from this terrifying experience.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Arnold on February 9, 2012 at 10:55am

I don't know this neighborhood or complex as to where this occurred so you all may know if there is a fenced area or not but the article does not say if the courtyard the dog was in was fenced.

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on February 9, 2012 at 12:42pm

The guy actually replied to my comment on the Ledger. I do not believe it was fenced in since he said the dog was taken in his yard. Funny thing is that people noticed the strange guy, even them, but never went that extra step. When I see weird/strange folks in the neighborhood, I watch closely and write down tag numbers. Never know if they are casing the homes, pets, or kids.

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on February 9, 2012 at 3:02pm

I had to remove my earlier comments under the story in The Ledger because I was being jumped on just for making a statement about the article. It is sad to know that people are still petty in this day and age. Even another person had said in the comments on the paper that if they considered Scooter part of the family, would you allow your 2 yr old outside as you watched from your window? If you read the story it says they let the dog out, went to his desk, and watched him from the window being taken. Yet in their responses to peoples comments they say they were right there watching from the door so he was never left unattended. I don't know....I just don't understand people and their reasoning at times. Just hope the dog is safe and is returned home.

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on February 10, 2012 at 9:40am

Confirmed that Scooter was NOT chipped. They said he was to young still.

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Permalink Reply by Alicia (Alsan) on February 10, 2012 at 2:28pm

I can't imagine with a stolen dog would matter if it was chipped. Unless it was then resold and there's still probably ways around it. Chips are great for lost dogs, but even then, the shelter or vet the animal is brought to to be scanned must have the same brand device as what's in the dog, there are several companies out there. Only one of my dogs is chipped for that reason, the more I looked into it, I decided with the later dogs not to bother with it.

I do have sympathy for these people. They obviously trusted the dog wouldn't run off. I have no idea of the home they live in or how its set up, I really don't care either to be honest. I'm out in the country so my situation is different, but mine are never on leashes. I have a chiuauah mix that once in awhile runs off my property and it would be my fault if he got lost. Or if an owl gets my poodle, it's my fault too. But to have someone come on to the property and STEAL a dog - that's a different situation altogether, I can't get riled up to blame the owner, I blame the theif. Could it have been avoided? Sure. Lots of things in our lives could be. But if you live your whole life in fear of what others will do to you and your property you can never relax. I hope they get this little guy back and I'm sure if they do they will watch him like a hawk.

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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on February 10, 2012 at 5:09pm

Apparently it was a private home, not a shared space, just to clarify. That is so scary!

Jmarr said:

I know that they probably shouldn't have let the dog out in a shared apartment complex with it not being on a leash and all, but still....so sad! No one deserves that. I hope they find the guy, and the dog! I wonder if it was microchipped...

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Permalink Reply by kimpsbl1 on February 10, 2012 at 11:04pm

Usually a pet owner gets a warning episode when they learn the importance of the leash law, i.e., a neighbor telling you about it via complaint. This particular criminal was watching out for just such an opportunity to take advantage of these distraught folks. I hope that doggie was not yet potty trained and I hope it is a biter.