14 Yorkshire terriers back home after police track them down
'It is a great relief,' dogs' owner says.
By Tony Plohetski
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, February 10, 2006
Rick Alspach got the call late Thursday: Investigators thought they knew where his 14 stolen Yorkshire terriers were being held and they needed him to come identify them.
By early today, the dogs — including seven puppies — had been safely returned to their Williamson County home, where Alspach said they were sleeping soundly.
"I couldn't feel better," Alspach said. "It is a great relief."
Alspach, a construction supervisor, came home Wednesday night after after a long day on the job to find that his home had been broken into and his dogs were missing.
Alspach called the Williamson County sheriff's office.
Authorities began investigating after Alspach gave them the names of several people who had come by to inquire about buying the puppies. Alspach and his wife breed the dogs and sell the puppies.
Alspach said the dogs were found in three separate houses near Pflugerville.
Sheriff's spokesman Det. John Foster said no one has been arrested but that charges are pending.
Alspach said, "I had my doubts I would ever see my dogs again. I can eat, and I can rest now."
tplohetski@statesman.com; 445-3605