HESPERIA, Ca. – Authorities are attempting to locate a support dog who was stolen right in front of the clients of the domestic violence shelter where he lives. “George” is a support and comfort dog for the clients, many coming to the shelter with little more than fear and uncertainty.
At around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2020, the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness month, a few of the clients decided to walk to a liquor store. George excitedly followed behind them without them noticing until they arrived at the store located at the 76 Gas Station at 14921 Bear Valley Road at around 9:20 a.m. The children waited just outside the store while their mothers went inside so that they could keep an eye on George.
The children talked as they waited for their mothers, until a woman arrived, picked George up. The kids told the lady, “Wait! That is the shelter dog!”. She said, “I am taking the dog to the shelter”. Assuming the woman was a domestic violence shelter employee who would be taking George back home, they stopped their demands for the woman to leave him. The clients returned to the shelter and George was not there. The clients then told shelter staff about the lady who left with George.
The staff called the Hesperia Animal Shelter but George had not been turned in. The staff then called the Hesperia Police Department to report the situation. Surveillance footage is being reviewed and deputies are attempting to locate the woman in order to locate George.
The woman who stole George is described as a 30 to 40-year-old white woman. She has short to mid-length black hair and wore glasses. She was driving a gold or silver Scion XB.
George is an older Terrier mix, but was rescued by the shelter around 2 years ago. He is well loved by the clients and staff, who would love to have him back. Anyone with information that can help lead to the return of George should call the shelter staff at (760) 949-4357 or the Hesperia Police Department at 760- 947-1500.
