Three puppies, each valued at $2,000, were recovered safely Sept. 16, two days after they were dognapped from a local kennel.
The three German shepherd puppies were reported stolen Sept. 14 from Sukee Kennels on Route 1 in Warren. Police believe that the suspects walked into the kennel and removed the puppies between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. while the owner had left for an hour. A laptop computer also was reported stolen.
Two of the puppies were 2 weeks old and the other was 6 weeks old.
The kennel owner reported the theft to local police and to animal supply stores. Knox County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Reginald Walker said Monday, Sept. 21 that the owner of a store in Damariscotta contacted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office when a person came in the day after the theft to buy liquid milk replacement for very young dogs.
Sgt. John Palmer, of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, followed up and identified the suspects, who live in Knox County, according to Walker. The sergeant contacted an acquaintance of the three suspects and Walker said he believes those suspects then realized they were being investigated.
On the morning of Sept. 16, a crate with the three puppies was found behind a tree at the Thomaston public landing. A note was attached to the crate asking whoever found the dogs to contact Palmer.
The puppies were picked up by Walker at about 9 a.m. that day. They were in good health and were returned to the kennel.
All three dogs already had been sold and were being cared for at the kennel until they were old enough to go to their new homes.
The case is still under investigation, but Walker said the suspects will be charged.
