PAWS Atlanta is reporting that one of the three animals stolen from the shelter Friday morning has been recovered. 

“Last night, September 16, around 8 p.m., a PAWS Atlanta volunteer spotted a photo of a puppy on the Nextdoor app that strongly resembled one of our missing pups,” the shelter wrote on social media. “The dog had been wandering, scared, in someone’s yard for a few hours. The volunteer contacted PAWS Atlanta staff who immediately drove to the location and determined that it was, indeed, Emilia! We are beyond elated that Emilia is safe and sound back at PAWS Atlanta. Other than a few scratches and a hungry belly, she is unharmed. We don’t believe that the person who located Emilia in their yard had anything to do with the incident at PAWS Atlanta. It’s possible that because Emilia has rescued from a neighborhood only a short distance from the shelter, she may have escaped from the man who stole her after being taken. It’s also possible that he lives in the area, but we can’t say anything for sure at this time.”

PAWS is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the recovery of the other two dogs. 

“If you have any information about the break-in at PAWS Atlanta on the morning of September 16, please contact us at 770-593-1155,” the organization wrote in a different social media post. 

The organization has also released security camera footage of the break-in. 

Here is our earlier story. 

DeKalb County, GA — DeKalb County Police are investigating after a man broke into an animal shelter and stole three dogs early Friday morning.

PAWS Atlanta, which runs the shelter on Covington Highway in Greater Decatur, wrote about the incident in a lengthy social media post.

“At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, a man was caught on film walking through the parking lot of PAWS Atlanta,” the organization wrote. “He then broke into our dog intake building and removed four dogs from their kennels. He dropped one during his escape but successfully stole three. He also attempted to steal other supplies by breaking into our larger shelter building. Police were called and arrived on the scene quickly. There is video surveillance of the break-in, but the man appeared to know where our security cameras were located and was able to avoid being filmed directly from the front. He appears to be tall, thin, and wearing a dark-colored jacket.”

PAWS is hopeful the dogs will be returned.

“Our hope is simply for these dogs to be returned safely to PAWS Atlanta, even if it is done anonymously,” the shelter wrote. “Please be on the lookout for Emilia, Violet, and Princeton on Craigslist, NextDoor, Facebook, and out in your community. If you see them, please contact the police and PAWS Atlanta (770-593-1155) immediately.”

A spokesperson for DeKalb Police confirmed the incident.

“DKPD responded to the location around 2:30 this morning in reference to a suspicious person walking around the property,” the spokesperson said. “Upon arrival, officers found the location broken into. The incident is under investigation at this time, so I do not have any additional to provide.”

Here’s the full statement from PAWS Atlanta, along with pictures of the stolen dogs:

Dear PAWS Atlanta Family,

We want to inform you about something unfortunate that happened at our shelter last night. Several of the dogs in our care were stolen, and two of our buildings were broken into. We’re heartbroken by this incident and are asking for your help.

At approximately 1:30am on Friday, September 16, a man was caught on film walking through the parking lot of PAWS Atlanta. He then broke into our dog intake building and removed four dogs from their kennels. He dropped one during his escape but successfully stole three. He also attempted to steal other supplies by breaking into our larger shelter building. Police were called and arrived on the scene quickly. There is video surveillance of the break-in, but the man appeared to know where our security cameras were located and was able to avoid being filmed directly from the front. He appears to be tall, thin, and wearing a dark colored jacket.

Two of the stolen puppies, Emilia and Violet, arrived at PAWS Atlanta a few weeks ago when they were abandoned in the parking lot. They were sick, scared, and undernourished. A great deal of love and care has gone into helping them grow and thrive for their future forever home. Princeton was surrendered by his previous owner and needed to find a soft place to land. We’re devastated that these animals we care for so deeply were taken.

Our hope is simply for these dogs to be returned safely to PAWS Atlanta, even if it is done anonymously. Please be on the lookout for Emilia, Violet, and Princeton on Craigslist, NextDoor, Facebook, and out in your community. If you see them, please contact the police and PAWS Atlanta (770-593-1155) immediately.

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