Losing your dog is a terrifying experience, but one thing that can be even scarier is having your puppy stolen. That’s what happened to the Lay family earlier this week – but this story has a happy ending and justice will come to the criminal involved.
Last Wednesday, the Lay family left their puppy, Kai, in temporary care IS an animal rescue in Hemet, California. Kai is a fluffy 4-month-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, scheduled to be neutered that day. After the procedure, Kai was put in a cot to rest and recuperate from the surgery, but just an hour later, he passed away.
Surveillance footage captured by ARE cameras shows a child entering the building with a young woman in a sleeveless black shirt not far behind. The woman told shelter staff she was there to pick up a kitten for adoption, and looked around while the staff helped other visitors.
Kai’s crib wasn’t the scene of the theft, but shortly after the woman arrived, another camera caught her leaving with him in his arms. She and the child rushed out the door as fast as they could and disappeared before anyone realized what was going on.
ARE employees were horrified when they realized that the dog was gone. Amber Schlieder, the owner of the rescue, was heartbroken when she had to call Kai’s family and explain that their dog was missing. Closing her tears, she told ABC7 of the horrible phone call that followed:
“Honestly, it was the hardest call I’ve ever had to make. To call her and say that someone stole this baby right from under us. Just steal this kid.”
The rescue immediately went live when news of Kai’s disappearance went viral on social media, and Kai’s family started posting flyers, hoping someone would see them and let them know. Where could theirs be and who took him away. A police report was filed and they checked surrounding businesses to see if anyone could catch her on camera taking Kai away. A local news station met with the rescue team and family, spreading the surveillance footage and news of Kai.
The police were called in, and detectives from the Hemet Police Department stepped in. In just a few hours, they gathered enough information to point them in the right direction. Their work leads them to a nearby house, where they find 21-year-old Chanel Groffo – and Kai.
Kai has been returned to his loving family, who are happy to have him home again.
Groffo was charged with felony dog theft and was held in the Riverside County Jail on $10,000 bail. Despite the severity of the crime she committed and the pain she caused to Kai’s family and rescue, she is still smiling in her photo.
Thanks to the quick action of the people at ARE Animal Rescue and detectives from the Hemet Police Department, Kai has returned home to those who love him, and we hope that his captor will pay the price. for his crimes.
H/T: ABC7.com
