Stolen puppy Chi Chi returned to Beach pet store

Posted to: News Virginia Beach
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By
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 5, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

Chi Chi, the wayward puppy who went for a visit with a stranger on Tuesday, is back at home in Puppyville, a Virginia Beach pet shop.

An anonymous man called the store and offered to return the $1,200 pup if charges would not be filed, said store employee Brian Kraemer. Store officials complied with the demand. The man was met, and the puppy was returned without incident.

Kraemer said the man who contacted the store was not the same man who walked out of the pet shop with the tiny canine. No other details were available, Kraemer said.

The pup has a microchip, and that may have affected his quick return. Late Saturday, he was back at the store with his friends.

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Animals should not be treated like a merchandise commodity

Submitted by Liz Day on Sun, 07/05/2009 at 10:12 am.

This story really gets to me. Anyone can walk into a "store", look at a animal and make off with it. Dogs are not a commodity like tennis shoes. It is wrong to produce, promote, sell them as so much inventory. Please get your pets from a reputable breeder, rescue agency or animal shelter. There are too many unwanted animals in this country who are being bred for nothing but financial gain. Some people make an impulse buy when it comes to pets and then have no idea of the time, money and work it takes to properly care for them. Go get a stuffed animal, (they make them now that run on batteries that move, snore and sleep.) Animals are living, loving, feeling, sentient beings who deserve a good healthy life and a forever home.

Well said

Submitted by nancym49 on Sun, 07/05/2009 at 3:34 pm.

Well said. I couldn't agree with you more. There are way too many animals that are taken to shelters and/or put out on the street when their owners realize the impulse buy was more than they expected.

chichi

Submitted by sheilah14015 on Sat, 07/04/2009 at 9:42 pm.

I can't even believe this story made the news.

Puppy

Submitted by desert_divine on Sat, 07/04/2009 at 5:11 pm.

That little rat-looking thing is worth $1,200???

I know!

Submitted by Archie on Sat, 07/04/2009 at 7:23 pm.

Amazing, isn't it?

The best places to get dogs are either a recognized, certified breeder, or, if it is a pet you want, none better can be found than at the animal shelters in the area.

It is amazing

Submitted by Michael_Ragsdal on Sat, 07/04/2009 at 8:19 pm.

My first two dogs were from my aunt (who is certified breeder by the State of New Jersey, where she lives). Had them for years and loved them lots

After they died, my third dog came from a certified breeder here in Virginia and my 4th dog (so he could have a playmate) came from the Holland Road SPCA