Missing pugs update: Definitely stolen

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New information today on the missing pugs we told you about yesterday, gone from their Arbor Heights home after a burglary — Southwest Precinct Sgt. Jeff Durden just called to say a witness who read about it on WSB has told police the dogs were definitely stolen – they were seen being loaded into a vehicle. Police are still working to see what kind of description of that vehicle they will be able to publicly release without jeopardizing the investigation. We’ll let you know when more information is available. 1:10 PM UPDATE: And here it is — Sgt. Durden says neighbors saw a dark blue SUV stopped near the house Monday afternoon around 2 pm, with a male driver and male passenger. They saw one of them come out of the home’s front yard, pick up the pugs, put them in the SUV, and drive off. They didn’t realize at the time that anything was wrong, so they didn’t call police until they read here about the burglary and missing dogs. They didn’t get a license plate, and not very much detail on the people in the SUV, except that one appeared to be in his late teens/early 20s, “dark complexion,” possibly Asian or Hispanic, close-cropped hair or shaven head. The police non-emergency number is 206/625-5011, or you can call 911 if you have a tip that needs immediate action.

30 Replies to "Missing pugs update: Definitely stolen"

  • andrea August 20, 2008 (1:20 pm)

    This makes me sick to my stomach…I hope whomever stole these dogs gets ratted out very soon by someone who knows them and also reads this blog and they get what coming to them…in my eyes that would be a long time in jail, but a swift kick in the you know where would suffice for me to begin with…

  • marianne August 20, 2008 (1:57 pm)

    Sick, heartless, lowest of the low lifes. I can’t even post what I would like to see done to the pukes who stole these dogs.

  • Johnny Davies August 20, 2008 (2:02 pm)

    A swift kick in the you know what would only be the beginning of what I’d do.. These perps are completely disgusting human beings.

  • Cait August 20, 2008 (2:27 pm)

    God reserves a special area of hell for dog snatchers. That’s what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.

  • charlabob August 20, 2008 (3:06 pm)

    Does anyone know where to find the “dog finders” someone mentioned previously? Maybe the community could hire them for the owners. I would limp door to door, especially to find the blind pug…she’s not likely to bring a huge price on the black market…

    Have we actually gotten to the place where people steal dogs on contract, the way they used to steal cars?

  • Aim August 20, 2008 (3:11 pm)

    Charla, I think some do.
    I’ve been watching CL for them. Also TR will you remind the owner to check all the locations of the local (and not as local) shelters? Many times once these geniuses realize the dog isn’t sell-able, they’ll dump it.

  • charlabob August 20, 2008 (3:32 pm)

    Yeah, Ive been googling “blind male pug” in all its variations, in case they try to sell him for or someone else finds him.

    It’s almost like they were “casing the place” for the dogs — sounds more like an art theft than a garden variety robbery.

  • Jon August 20, 2008 (3:43 pm)

    As demoralizing and crushingly sad as this, I suspect these dogs were targeted for use in dog fighting.

  • WW August 20, 2008 (4:11 pm)

    That’s a horrible thought! Do they really that? If I was the owner, I’d even try contacting a pet psychic like Joy Turner at http://www.talkwithyouranimals.com . I listen to her noon radio show on Wednesdays on 1150AM and you never know, she just might be helpful. Here’s her ph# 360-894-5000. Time is of the essence, please hurry!! They need to come home NOW, and I pray for their safe and speedy return.

  • oddreality August 20, 2008 (4:15 pm)

    This is sickening.Hope they get their babies back.
    I’ve been talking to other lost cat owners on W.Seattle and the feeling is that someone is stealing them also.Way more cats are missing from W.Seattle than other places in the city and they are disappearing during the day.

    Something really needs to be done about dog fighting.

  • marianne August 20, 2008 (4:16 pm)

    Yes, WW, there are some really horrid humans out there. I am afraid that Jon may be right. In that case I hope that there is AN EXTRA SPECIAL HELL RESERVED FOR THOSE PUKES THAT TOOK THOSE DOGS.

  • GB August 20, 2008 (4:26 pm)

    This dog snatching is totally horrible!
    Re the cats…I’m afraid that could be the work of..coyotes..

  • charlabob August 20, 2008 (4:27 pm)

    OK, so who’s reading this and has knowledge of the dog fighting circuit? There are obviously people who specialize in pugs and someone who knows who they are. How do we set up an anonymous snitch line or something. These dogs can be found, dammit. (I couldn’t quite believe what Jon was saying and then did a search of pugs+dog fighting and, let’s say, now I do.)

  • JenV August 20, 2008 (4:48 pm)

    they fight pugs? what do they do- lick each other until they give up? I am really not trying to be flippant in light of dogs which might be in harms way- but I always have known pugs to be sweet, gentle dogs- not fighters.

  • Cait August 20, 2008 (4:49 pm)

    Dog fighting with pugs? Who in the hell comes up with this kinda stuff? They already have Don Rickles faces and stubby little legs, do they really need to endure more torture?

  • Jon August 20, 2008 (5:07 pm)

    I don’t think the pugs serve as fighters, if you understand my meaning. But I am guessing at this, and I pray I am completely wrong. Unfortunately, given what I have read of the people who run these underground rings, my gut tells me otherwise. I find myself violently angry with whoever took them.

    With two small dogs in my own home, which is not too far from where these pups lived, I am now pretty freaked out and on high alert. Ready to build a 10-foot prison fence around my backyard.

  • marianne August 20, 2008 (5:08 pm)

    I’m afraid the pugs are used as bait. Sick.

  • Traci August 20, 2008 (5:23 pm)

    This makes me feel physically sick. I’m so sorry this happened to your dogs. Dog fighting is truly a glitch in humanity. How in the world can people get that low?

  • andrea August 20, 2008 (5:36 pm)

    whaaaaaaaaaaat? bait? i have to go hug my dogs right now and make sure all the doors & windows are locked.

  • Andrew August 20, 2008 (6:02 pm)

    Please be wrong about the pugs being in dog fights. That’s heartbreaking.

  • Elikapeka August 20, 2008 (6:05 pm)

    Guys, let’s remember that the owners are probably reading this thread. I’m not suggesting fingers in the ears singing loudly to avoid unpleasantness, but I know if I had my pets stolen, I’d be broken hearted enough without hearing speculation about their demise. Let’s be kind.

  • Traci August 20, 2008 (6:08 pm)

    Good point Elikapeka. It’s important not to lose hope… My mom and I thought we lost our beloved Koko, a billion pound cat, and after hours of crying in the rain with flashlights we found the jerk with a bunch of neighborhood cats. Keep up the search and we’re here to watch for your pugs too :)

  • mellaw6565 August 20, 2008 (8:24 pm)

    Look on petfinder.org as well – you can search by breed. Hoping for the best to find your babies!

  • mellaw6565 August 20, 2008 (9:08 pm)

    I just saw a commercial that this story will be on KONG and KING 5 tonite. Hope the publicity helps bring them home.

  • Sarah August 20, 2008 (9:14 pm)

    Please don’t get your hopes up too much. But I do believe (although not positive!) that I saw a pug loose on 106th/107th street this morning between 35th and Ambaum. Not sure if you live around there or not. Good luck! Hope your dogs come home soon.

  • DK August 21, 2008 (7:11 am)

    Stolen pugs…hummmm. That’s the top news story in West Seattle?? Get a grip people. Move on and let the police fight REAL crime!

  • WW August 21, 2008 (8:20 am)

    I beg your pardon! Helllooo-WSB is not just about “top news”. I think pretty much anything goes here, and this ‘unworthy story’ happens to be very important to alot of us, so get over it! Maybe you should stick to watching TV or listening to radio for more worthwhile news. Do you really think the police are making this a high priority or something? Come on! Obviously you are not an animal lover, and it would seem a pretty insensitive person too. Our pets, for MANY of us, are an extention of our family, for some they our only “children”, AND THESE KIDS HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED. The bond, the joy, the love and the loyalty of especially a dog is something you’ll never know unless you’ve experienced it, and something you never forget. I have no compassion for uncompassionate people like you! Go watch TV!!!

  • Greg August 21, 2008 (8:25 am)

    Somebody thought they saw a wondering pug on Barton 1 block West of Delridge. If you are in the area please keep an eye out. If you see a pug that looks lost, please take it to the vet. The two stolen pugs are microchipped.

  • WSB August 21, 2008 (9:09 am)

    We are about to post another update atop the page with Greg’s info plus another bit of information he just mailed us. Regarding whether this is “top news” or not – certainly that commenter is entitled to their opinion – we have been criticized before for choice of stories – But just so you know our standpoint: Yes, of course this is news. (Almost every citywide-media outlet has reported on it as well.) Burglars usually make off with video-game consoles and money, not dogs. For other types of missing-pet situations, we created the Pets page many months ago, and it’s helped many local pet owners get reunited with their missing dogs, cats, birds, etc. … but this one goes beyond that, so we will continue to cover it in the news area. Along with the other 10 or so things that are likely to happen today! – TR

  • N morillo August 21, 2008 (3:54 pm)

    My little house in the Lincoln Park Area was broken into, burglarized and vandalized in July. They took all of my big poster art and other art off of the walls, all of my hand-made jewelery,
    Beatles memorabilia, antique toys, vintage Christmas ornaments bird carvings and other art.
    For starters, if anyone sees a wood carving of a puffin, a huge framed art poster of an egret, a dark green wooden wagon, a complete set of Beatles cds for sale anywhere, pleast post on this blog. The little pieces of art are all memories of my travels. I hate those filthy
    parasites…Aug. 21 NM

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