(CALEDON, ON) – On April 18, 2014 officers from the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a break and enter to a Highway 9 residence. During the investigation, police learned that the victim was a Chihuahua breeder and one of her puppies “April†had been stolen. The victim reported to officers that she would allow potential buyers to attend her residence to view and socialize with their potential puppy. Earlier that day, a Brighton resident who had placed a deposit on a Chihuahua, attended the victim’s home and spent time with her future puppy.
Two days later, the Brighton resident contacted the breeder requesting a return on her deposit.
On May 13, 2014 officers from the Street Crime Unit (SCU) of the Caledon Detachment along with members from the Northumberland OPP Detachment executed a Criminal Code search warrant at a residence on County Road 2 in Brighton. Officers located the resident in possession of “Aprilâ€Â, the stolen Chihuahua.
Subsequently, Leona Joy BOTTING, 38, of Brighton was arrested and charged with Break and Enter, Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Breach of an Undertaking.
She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Coburg on June 11, 2014.
“Aprilâ€Â, the 3-lb Chihuahua’s identity was confirmed and returned to its’ rightful owner.