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A Reno family who sells English Bulldog puppies was devastated Wednesday after two home invaders snatched two pups from their pen, and then ran over their family pet — killing it — during their escape.
Besides grieving the loss of their 5-year-old English Bulldog, Wendy, Ross and Arlene Harwood said they are worried for the safety of the two stolen pups: an unnamed male and female, 7 and a half weeks-old who had not yet gotten their shots.
The couple had been advertising the sale of the puppies for $1,800 in the Reno Gazette-Journal the past three weeks. They suspect a couple who had been at their home Tuesday evening looking at the puppies — but who did not buy them — were responsible.
Of the puppies that were for sale, Wendy was mother to seven, while her daughter, Minnie, was mother to the two stolen pups.
“I am so sad, and angry,” said Arlene Harwood, as she looked toward the dog pen where the snatching occurred. “It’s sad that I have to meet people at Home Depot, write down their license plate numbers, take their pictures, and verify their addresses before I can take them to my house to show them the puppies.”
Reno police Lt. Robert McDonald described the incident as unusual and heart wrenching. He said there have been no other reports of “puppynapping” in the city.
The couple described Wendy as sweet and smart, who relished mothering her puppies. Arlene Harwood gave Wendy to her husband as a birthday present.
“They have no respect for life,” Ross Harwood said of the thieves.
Ross Harwood said he had been asleep on his couch around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday when he heard someone breaking down his front door in the 10000 block of Robilee Drive, in South Reno. He awoke to see two men reaching into a nearby dog pen, snatching two of three puppies.
The thieves had used either a sledgehammer or device that unhinged the door.
Harwood ran after them, and Wendy, followed. The suspects’ dark red small sports utility vehicle struck Harwood during their flee, knocking him down. Then they ran over Wendy, who had been at the rear of the vehicle. She soon died.
“How brazen were they that they walked in through the front door,” Arlene Harwood said. “Our dog was the love of our life. I had to watch her die.”
Ross Harwood suffered minor scrapes and scratches when he was struck by the vehicle.
Wendy’s blood is still stained on their living room carpet.
The Harwoods said they will continue trying to sell Wendy’s orphaned pups. the Thieves left behind Wendy’s daughter, Minnie.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact detectives at 334-2115. Secret Witness is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. They can be reached at 322-4900.
