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NORWALK, Conn. A puppy that was stolen from a Norwalk store and taken to West Haven before being reclaimed is expected to move to his permanent home in New York's Westchester County Saturday.
The then 12-week-old English bulldog was stolen from Puppies of Westport on July 9 by a man who was accompanied by a young boy, according to Norwalk Police. Detectives accompanied owner Monty Kaufman to West Haven on July 13 and found the dog on a porch without air conditioning or water.
Police have a suspect but an arrest has not yet been made.
Kaufman said five people requested to buy the dog, which he said last week was worth about $4,000. "We didn't do that because we want to make sure we has the right home," he said. "They seem perfect and they're going to come on Saturday."
If the deal goes through, the larceny victim will live about 100-yards from one of his litter-mates. One of Kaufman's customers, who lives in Westchester and bought the puppy's sibling, called and said a neighbor was interested in buying the dog.
Kaufman found his stolen puppy thanks to tips from the public. If Norwalk Police had not gone with him to West Haven he wouldn't have gotten the dog back, as the resident of the home came to the door and professed no knowledge of the puppy.
Kaufman said the dog was a little dehydrated when he got back and was put on antibiotics "to be safe."
He said he and his wife would have kept the dog but they already have 11 at home. Their goal was to find him the right home and give him a name, unlike most puppies that come their way.
They chose "Champ," but they don't know if it will stick. "My wife doesn't want to force the name on the people," Kaufman said. "We're going to talk to them about it and we'll see."
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