2 Stolen Show Dogs Found In Compton
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Two of four top show dogs stolen from a van parked outside a Bellflower Motel 6 were returned to their owners Wednesday.
Kristina Rickard and David Peek got back two Akitas, one said to be worth about $250,000, after being notified that their 2006 Chevrolet Express van was found in Compton with the two dogs inside.
Two Pembroke Welsh Corgis named Bunny and Peter are still missing. They are implanted with identifying microchips, and Rickard said the dogs are worthless without their paperwork showing their America Kennel Club pedigree.
Anyone with a lead on the Corgis was urged to call sheriffs' Detective Ron Vande Vegte at the Lakewood Station, (562) 925-0124. Peek can be reached at (530) 917-6846.
The couple, who are from Redding, were in town for a show in Long Beach, where they planned to show the Akitas and their Japanese clients' Corgis.
Rickard and Peek, who have offered an unspecified reward for information leading to the missing dogs, went to the county-run animal shelter in Downey to pickup the Akitas, a Japanese breed similar to a husky. Peek owns Didi, and Rickard is part-owner of Trace, a grand champion.
The theft was reported about 6 a.m. Tuesday when the couple realized the van was gone. They had brought three other dogs with them inside the motel room, but left the Akitas in the van, with the Corgis, where it would be cooler for the thick-furred dogs. The windows were cracked so the dogs could get fresh
air.
All together, the dogs were estimated to be worth about $500,000.
The theft occurred at 17220 Downey Ave.
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