Stolen puppies returned, investigation continues

ALBANY, Ga. – Nearly a week following a late break-in, there’s a major sense of relief at the Albany Humane Society as the puppies who were stolen have been safely returned.

As previously mentioned, a man wearing a red mask shot out the door of the Humane Society, the night of March 19th, stealing hundreds in donation money, but more importantly, three puppies.

This past weekend… the pups were found.

“We got a phone call and we were able to go and retrieve the puppies on Saturday of last week. We were overjoyed, super ecstatic; the puppies for the most part seem to be in good health. They seem to be in good spirits as well,” said Payton Jarrell, Director, Albany Humane Society.

The Albany Police Department (APD) have named 30-year-old Darius Parker as a person of interest in the theft of the pups as the investigation is ongoing.

In the meantime, Albany Humane Society director, Payton Jarrell walked us through how the rescue happened.

“When we first retrieved them, it was almost like ‘oh my goodness, you’re here to save me.’ It’s almost like they knew they saw familiar faces, and they felt more comfortable immediately. They got a lot of puppy kisses and snuggles as soon as they got back. But, these puppies are resilient. They are still the most loving, playful puppies we have here,” said Jarrell.

With the puppies now safely back where they belong, the Humane Society is making sure there isn’t any lasting problems.

“One of them had a suspicious looking lump on the back of its neck. We immediately took all three of them to the vet just to get an overall health exam… But, it looks like a hematoma, maybe from where they grabbed the puppies to begin with. Not sure on the cause on that, but it is getting treated,” said Jarrell.

After the nearly weeklong ordeal, everyone at the Humane Society is taking a sigh of relief…

Happy to know that three of the animals they care deeply for are back where they belong.

“Once we received that phone call and I saw those faces, I was just over the moon. I teared up immediately. I was just shaking with so much excitement that they were back and safe I our arms, literally,” said Jarrell.

While the pups are getting checked out, Jarrell says that they thankfully should be able to adjust normally and be put up for adoption again.

The investigation is still ongoing with the APD, anyone with any information should call Albany Crime Stoppers at 229-302-0801.

Brian Roche reporting.

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