Imagine being taken from your home and transported 2,000 miles away to another country. That was the case for a miniature poodle named Teddy, who was stolen and smuggled across the border, but months later has finally reunited with his family.
Read about Teddy’s remarkable journey and the people who helped bring him home:
Last September, Alaina Tripp of Ottawa, Canada was devastated when her 5-month-old poodle Teddy was stolen while she was at work. She contacted the police, placed flyers and offered a return for the dog’s safe return, but he remained missing.
The owner got even more bad news when she learned from police that the dognapper had fled from Canada to the US, with Teddy in tow. It seemed like Teddy was gone for good, according to a video by the Riverton Police Department.
But 10 months later, and 2,000 miles away, police got an unexpected lead that led to Teddy’s rescue. The dognapper, identified as 50-year-old Paul Sheehan, was pulled over by police in Riverton, Wyoming after running a red light.
According to Cowboy State Daily, officers noticed the dog on Sheehan’s lap and discovered he had a non-extraditable warrant out from Canada on claims that he had stolen a puppy. Officers also discovered methamphetamine in the vehicle.
The police took custody of Teddy. The dog’s owner was stunned at the turn of events. “I’m completely astonished how one traffic stop in one small town,” Alaina Tripp told Wyoming Tribune Eagle. “He [Sheehan] ran one red light and Officer Don stopped him, and it was the beginning and end of a wonderful story.”
Because the local shelter was closed, Teddy was cared for by the Riverton Police Department until they could arrange to get him home. Video shows the happy dog playing in the office with the department’s Captain Romero:
People in the community came together to help Teddy get home. Thousands of dollars were raised via GoFundMe, and as the logistics were worked out Teddy was finally on his way home.
According to the Riverton Police Department, he flew out of Denver on August 8 and landed in Toronto the next day. “This has been [quite] the ordeal for this little dog but he is thriving!” the department wrote.
On August 13, they confirmed that Teddy had landed in Canada and reunited with his owner, calling it “a great ending to an amazing story.”
“Teddy stole the hearts of a lot of people and we will never forget him! We wish only the best for this little dog – he deserves it!!”
Tripp was thrilled to have her now-15-year-old dog back after all this time, and thanked the community who made it happen. “The world needs to know that there are still good people in it, and Riverton seems to be a town full of such good people,” she told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
What a miracle — we’re so glad Teddy is finally home safe and sound! Please share this great news if you love dogs!