NWT SPCA says impostor may have stolen family dog

The NWT SPCA believes someone pretending to be a volunteer with the charity has stolen a Behchoko family’s dog.

The charity thinks the dog could be in danger. This is the latest of several alleged dog thefts in the area – police are investigating.

On Sunday, Norma Gauthier took her two-year-old shih tzu, Oreo, to a vaccination and grooming clinic operated by the SPCA at Behchoko’s fire hall.

When Gauthier arrived, she says she handed the dog to a woman named Cheryl – who claimed to be working with the SPCA. However, SPCA president Nicole Spencer says nobody by that name was helping the charity that day.

Now, Oreo is missing.

“They said they were with the SPCA and that they would take the dog. They disappeared with it. As far as I can tell, the dog didn’t get inside the fire hall,” Spencer told Moose FM.

“I’ve been speaking with the RCMP officers out there, and they say there have been a few small dogs stolen from people. They think it could be the same person.

“We have no idea where the dog is – and he’s a very well-loved, well-taken-care-of dog. I hope whoever has him is going to take care of him or feels guilty enough to bring him in to the shelter or vet, and leave him there for us to find.”

‘Cheryl’ is said to own a brown truck and speak with a Newfoundland accent.

Anyone with information about Oreo’s disappearance should contact the RCMP.