A van carrying more than a dozen dogs has been located after it was allegedly stolen from a dog walker in Whitby this morning.
Police in Durham Region say the female dog walker was near Garden Street and Manning Road at around 11:30 a.m. when she was ambushed by man reportedly armed with a knife.
Bonnie Skinner, the owner of the dog walking company Tails and Trails, told CTV News Toronto that the walker was dropping off a dog at a home in the area and walked in to find a man robbing the place.
“A friend of mine happened to be on the phone with the walker involved when it happened,” Skinner said. “She called me and told me to call police because she could hear what was happening on the other line.”
Skinner said the man told the dog walker to hand over the keys to the van, which she initially refused.
“She said no at first but he threatened her with the knife, so she had no choice,” she said.
The man was ultimately able to get into the vehicle and drove off with 12 dogs inside.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m., after several hours of searching, police received a call about the 2008 Chevy Uplander parked on High Street with all the dogs still inside.
“We arrived on scene and we can confirm that all dogs have been accounted for,” Const. George Tudos said.
He said all dogs have since been reunited with their rightful owners.
Officers have described a suspect wanted in connection with this investigation as a white male with a tall, thin build who was wearing a dark jacket at the time.
"The suspect is still outstanding,” Tudos said. “Officers are in the area trying to search for that male suspect and we’re hoping that we get some more information later.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1815 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
