Utah Humane Society’s purloined pup found safe in Idaho

Cookie, a 2-month-old Cairn terrier, was stolen from the Humane Society of Utah's Adoption Center in Murray on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2018, and was found the next day in the possession of a suspected drunken driver in Idaho. Photo courtesy: Humane Society of Utah/Idaho Humane Society

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 3, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A puppy stolen out of Utah has been found safe in Idaho, and the Humane Society of Utah has already taken steps to prevent future thefts from its shelters.

“Cookie” is a 2-month-old black and tan Cairn terrier that was taken from the HSU Adoption Center in Murray on Thursday. The pup disappeared between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. that day.

On Friday, Meridian City (Idaho) police officers pulled over a man and woman for driving under the influence, said Deann Shepherd, HSU director of Marketing and Communications, in a news release.

A dog was found in the couple’s possession, so local animal control was called, and the dog was taken to the Idaho Humane Society in Boise, the news release states.

There they scanned the pup for a microchip and learned that Cookie was registered with the Humane Society of Utah.

According to the news release, the woman who was driving the vehicle with the dog inside was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and for having an alcoholic beverage in an open container — but she doesn’t match the description of the person HSU suspected may have taken the dog.

“We were ecstatic when we heard the news that Cookie had been found safe,” Shepherd said.

“I spoke with a staff member at the Idaho Humane Society and got their story. We don’t know if the person who took Cookie from us either gave her away to avoid being caught or

Cookie a 2 month old Cairn terrier that was stolen out of Utah is shown with an Idaho Humane Society worker Photo Humane Society of UtahIdaho Humane Society

had planned to transport her for some reason, we’re just grateful to the Meridian police and animal control for finding her.”

Now HSU and the Idaho Humane Society are working together to return Cookie to HSU.

“I asked the staff at the Idaho Humane Society to send us a photo of Cookie,” said Shepherd. “They said that she is happy and healthy. We’re thankful to them for taking good care of her.”

According to the news release, “The Humane Society of Utah has taken measures to increase security in response to this incident.”

Cookie a 2 month old Cairn terrier that was stolen from the Humane Society of Utah Adoption Center in Murray on Nov 27 2018 was found safe the next day in Meridian Idaho Photo courtesy Humane Society of UtahIdaho Humane Society

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