How about some good news to start your Thursday?
Caela, the 17-month-old shepherd mix that was stolen from outside a River North restaurant on Oct. 13, is back home this morning.
Video posted to the “Help Find Caela” Facebook page late last night shows Caela reuniting with her owners at a Humane Society facility in Oshkosh, Wis. That’s 175 miles from where she was taken.
“Thanks to Caela’s INCREDIBLE social media family, WE FOUND CAELA!! She is safe and we are driving back to Chicago with her now!! THANK YOU, CHICAGO!!”
According to a West Loop pet newsletter, the man who took Caela moved back to Oshkosh from Chicago two weeks ago.
As it turns out, the man moved to Wisconsin because his Chicago landlord would not allow him to have a dog in his apartment. The landlord later notified Caela’s owner after seeing images of the former tenant taking the dog.
Oshkosh-area police went to the man’s home, scanned Caela’s chip, and took her to the local Humane Society for safekeeping until her owner arrived.
Today’s good news is the culmination of a month-long social media campaign during which Caela’s friends and family posted video and photos of a man dognapping the pooch while her owner picked up a dinner order at Gus’ Fried Chicken, 401 North State.
Caela’s trail got colder as the days went by, but there seemed to be a big break on Monday when a video emerged showing clear images of a man walking with Caela on State Street moments after she disappeared.
Caela’s owner decided not to pursue charges against the man who took the dog.
