Police: Stolen Dog Euthanized At Neighbor's Home
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police tell a Pittsburgh man who is battling cancer that his beloved Siberian husky, a pet that went missing from his yard in the fall, was put down last month and will not be returning home.
Mark Boehler, 54, found out what happened to his dog Thursday morning. It was not the news he had hoped for.
KDKA's Kym Gable Reports:
"I confirmed late last night through a licensed veterinarian that Thor was euthanized in the home of Gisele Paris on February the 10," said Pittsburgh Police Officer Christine Luffey.
Officer Luffey told KDKA's Kym Gable she could not comment further because of the ongoing investigation. She says police want to thank the public for calling with tips and offers of help. The department received calls from across the country.
"I just wanted to see him one more time, and it just – I don't know – my heart fell into my feet," said Boehler. "It just felt like she took a piece of me and had me put to sleep."
The 8-year-old Siberian husky was taken from the fenced in yard of Boehler's Spring Hill home on Thanksgiving Day.
"It tore me apart. I cried and cried and cried," he said.
Boehler says Thor had a tumor on his back, but it wasn't life-threatening.
Police say Paris, also from the Spring Hill neighborhood, is accused of taking Thor. Boehler says he did not know her. But apparently, she claimed to be familiar with Thor.
"She said that he was in deplorable conditions, so she cut the fence and stole him out of my yard to save his life, and then took him and killed him," said Boehler.
KDKA's Brenda Waters Reports:
To make matters worse, Boehler was diagnosed last July with Stage 3 esophageal cancer.
"All the chemo, all the radiation, all the pain, all the suffering, all the anxiety, all the depression, she made it… she's tripled it," he said.
And Boehler says though he's heartbroken, he's also grateful.
"I can't thank the people in Pittsburgh for their caring, donations and everything they've gone through. Everybody," he said. "I just want to say thank you."
Police had enough evidence to arrest 57-year-old Paris in February. She is facing a number of charges, including theft and cruelty to animals.
The case is now in the hands of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office where they will decide if more charges will be filed.
jamie Holmes, founder of Jamie's Dream Team, talks to NewsRadio 1020 KDKA:
Jamie Holmes
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