Dog Found Dead in Stolen SUV
Posted on 2008 under Crimes Against Canines, Just Sad :(, Missing - Lost Dog, News & Updates |20 Aug
See Update - 8/28/08 - Three Arrested!
A woman who stole a couple’s sport utility vehicle at a cemetery and later abandoned it, leaving the owners’ crippled dog inside to die in sweltering heat, remains at large, says a sheriff’s investigator.
On Saturday afternoon, Craig and Mary Michael, both in their 60s, were visiting Riverside National Cemetery to pay tribute to veterans on V-J Day.
The Hemet couple parked their Ford Excursion and left it idling to run the air conditioner for their 16-year-old wolf-malamute mix, Rebel, who suffered from hip dysplasia. They told a newspaper they were less than 20 feet from the vehicle when a woman got behind the wheel and drove off.
According to Franchville, the Michaels’ Excursion was found around 4:30 p.m. Sunday near the corner of Edgemont Street and Bay Avenue in Moreno Valley, roughly three miles from where it was taken.
“They didn’t give the dog any water,” Craig Michael said. “They just walked away and took the keys with them.” Franchville said there have not been any reports in the last year of auto thefts at the National Cemetery, which falls under sheriff’s department jurisdiction because it lies just outside the Riverside city boundaries.
If the thief is caught, she could face animal cruelty charges, in addition to grand theft auto, Franchville said.
Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the sheriff’s department’s Perris station at (951) 210-1000.
When I first read about the couple’s car being stolen so brazenly with their dog inside, I crossed my fingers and hoped that the POS’s who stole the vehicle would at least have a little heart and then I heard the sad end. I so hope these thieves are caught because they’re not just thieves, they’re also killers!! I guess we can just be thankful it wasn’t a young couple with a baby in the vehicle that was stolen!
Rest in peace Rebel!!
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by Marge Miller, on August 20 2008 @ 10:06 am
Re Dog Found Dead In Stolen SUV article .. I know what you meant, but I’d be happy to help with proofreading!
“I guess we can just be thankful if was a young couple with a baby in the vehicle that was stolen!”
by bernice leo, on August 20 2008 @ 10:08 am
that is heartless. they could have left the car running or at least opened the windows. they could have put the dog out on the street. what they did was deliberate and cold. one can only imagine what they would do to a person.
by Admin, on August 20 2008 @ 10:21 am
@Marge Miller - Ooops…. I try Margie but am usually putting so much together that my fingers get ahead of my brain… will fix it
@bernice leo - I agree, it was intentional and cold and cruel. I hope they’re caught!!
by Jen, on August 20 2008 @ 1:05 pm
words cannot express my sorrow at this story… I had a paralyzed dog…I know how dependent they are on their owners… This was heartless and cruel. I hope the bastard is caught.
by Nina Marrocco, on August 20 2008 @ 1:42 pm
Gone in body but not in spirit. My heart goes out to rebel’s mom for her loss. This monster need’s to be caught and prosecuted for Rebel’s murder.