Four dogs are missing from the Austin Animal Center and presumed stolen. On June 20, the city's Animal Services Office released details about the missing pups, including their names, ages, and breeds.
"We were doing the inventory, and realized the dogs were missing," Jennifer Olohan, communications and media manager for the Austin Animal Center, tells CultureMap.
AAC first realized two of the dogs were missing on June 13 and then noticed two more were missing on June 18. After ensuring the animals hadn't been placed in foster care or transferred to rescue programs, the shelter filed a report with the Austin Police Department, which is assigning a detective to the case.
Olohan says that as of now, there are no leads, and so the shelter is imploring the public to help find the stolen dogs.
Details about the missing pups include:
- Lilly — female, 1 year old, 58 pounds, blue Pitbull mix
- Dmitri — male, 2 years old, 44 pounds, tan Staffordshire mix
- Rex — male, 2 years old, 62 pounds, brown Staffordshire mix
- Jeff — male, 2 years old, 69 pounds, white Pitbull mix
Though Olohan admits dog thefts aren't unprecedented, it's not a common occurrence at AAC. "This very rarely happens," she says, adding that when a dog goes missing, it's more likely to be an owner who unwittingly picks up a missing pet without saying anything than a theft.
If you think you spot the missing dogs, AAC is asking that you call 3-1-1 immediately. The dogs are not considered aggressive, but citizens are encouraged to not approach either the animals or anyone who may be with the pups.
As for the shelter, they just want to get the dogs back into their care. "[They're] missing dogs," says Olohan, "and no one wants to see that."
Lilly.
