COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Police Department is searching for a woman who asked to see a Chihuahua puppy at the Bethel Road Petland store, then walked out of the store with the dog. Police say the woman hid the puppy inside her jacket as she made her exit.
Now, the department is looking to file charges for the theft, valued at an astonishing $6,000, but residents in the city of Columbus are not so sure she’s a criminal.
“On February 14, 2022, at 7:32 pm, this suspect entered Petland on Bethel Rd. She asked to see a Chihuahua puppy. She then concealed the puppy under her coat and walked out of the store without paying the $6,000 price,” the Columbus Police Department said in a statement.
“No one will help you with this. She saved that puppy,” One resident said after police posted the bulletin to their Facebook page.
“Every puppy sold by Petland was born from captive parent dogs living their entire lives in the squalor of a Puppy Mill. NO ethical breeder would ever sell their puppies to a pet store,” replied Phyllis Stewart, “Buyers pay exorbitant prices at beyond ridiculous interest rates to own an inbred, chronically sick puppy that will break your heart.”
“She probably fell in love with that little puppy and they told her they were at $6000 for it they were trying to rob her so instead she rob them and get a puppy a good life,” said Lisa Ramey.
“The real crime is that that sweet mill puppy was $6000!!! She’ll probably give her a good home! Let’s just call it a rescue, and move on,” replied Natalie Cataldo.
Many of the comments were similar, railing against Petland, puppy mills, and the outrageous prices on dogs sold there.
Not everyone thought the woman was a hero as some residents felt there was more to the story.
Others said the woman was “no saint”, saying the dog can easily fetch a couple of thousand dollars if her motive was to sell it.
According to the Associated Humane Societies, “As the only national pet store chain in the United States that still sells puppies, Petland is also the largest retailer of puppy mill dogs. While Petland claims their puppies come only from reputable breeders and are in good health, our investigations have proven otherwise.“