For the second time in approximately five months, Airdrie RCMP has reunited a stolen dog with its grateful owner. Lucy, a four-year-old yellow Labrador retriever mix, was recovered from a property in Rocky View County (RVC) southwest of Airdrie March 5, according to Airdrie Rural RCMP Constable Matt Gervais.
“We received a report of the dog being stolen back in November (2015) – so about four months ago,” Gervais said. “Because the investigation is ongoing, I can’t release any information about how the dog was stolen or what led us to this particular property.”
A man Gervais described as “elderly” has been charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 and theft under $5,000. He was released on a promise to appear and will make his first appearance in Airdrie Provincial Court May 26.
Gervais said the accused’s name could not be released because the charges have yet to be sworn in front of a judge.
Airdrie Rural RCMP, along with RVC Peace Officers, executed a search warrant at the rural residence and located Lucy. The dog was cared for by RVC Peace Officers until she could be reunited with her owner.
“We are happy to know Lucy will be home safe and with her rightful owners very soon,” Gervais said on March 7. “This is the second time in less than a year that we have recovered a stolen dog and reunited them with their rightful owners.”
Gervais was referring to the case of Tyson the Pug who was stolen from a Calgary Safeway in 2010, spotted in Crossfield on Aug. 19, 2015, and reunited with his owner Aug. 31, 2015. Tyson’s owner, Justine Holmlund, travelled from Thunder Bay, Ont., to retrieve her long-lost dog.
Extended Hours
RCMP and Municipal Enforcement are increasing their office hours on Wednesdays to better serve the public, according to Leanne St-Onge, team leader, Airdrie RCMP.
“We received feedback from the public that our regular office hours were not meeting the needs of the residents,” she said. “In order to meet their needs, we are happy to offer these extended hours for such an important service.”
The offices located in the Municipal Police Building at 2 Highland Park Way N.E. are open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The new hours started March 2. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
If you have any information about any crime, contact the Airdrie RCMP Detachment at (403) 945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
