Here is a post from mi dog rescue today....permission is given to
cross-post!

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Maggie a therapy dog ( and others) were taken last week, Maggie was
found but seems this "ring" is working in IL, WI, MI at least for now


STOLEN THERAPY DOG:
*Story on Maggie's Theft and Recovery*

Good Morning ,
Yes she was found on Sunday, 6 days after she was taken. Law
enforcement believe it is a ring of dog thieves that have been
working the Midwest for quite awhile and seem to be very exclusive.

Police were able to link her disappearance to a complaint in southern
Wisconsin of barking dogs and a lot of "night time" activity. From
that complaint they were able to discover the identities of the two people
who matched the description of the ones who took her.

They also got a description of the van.. A dark blue panel van -late
90's Ford Econoline. The tag was only a partial IL tag 598-1 ???
From there the trail led to a Flea Market / Swap meet where a
different police agency had been gathering info that stolen dogs were
being sold..that lead then developed into some background that the
dogs being sold were distributed from a location in the UP of
Michigan.

Yet another police agency involved , and located and abandoned barn
with about 200 dog kennels. There was evidence of recent activity in
the barn.
From there my husband and I took it upon ourselves to canvas the area
which is pretty darn remote. We spent over 18 hours Saturday
afternoon, evening and on into Sunday driving up and down dirt roads,
back into fields you name it we looked there.

Call it Divine providence or intervention but we happened down a very
remote road through a stand of trees and found a dump site piled with
kennels. Our Maggie was there, cold, soaking wet and with some minor
injuries. There was evidence that this location has been used many
times before.. Bodies etc in various states of decay.

This is an on going investigation so I can't be more specific then
that until the police wrap things up , hopefully with some arrests.

A little background on the ring itself: It is believed to be a
supplier of dogs to bunchers who sell to Class B dealers for medical
research.

They also are believed to supply bait dogs for dog fighting rings and
Pit Bull pups as well. The frequently use vans, pick up trucks and
small livestock trailers to transport animals from state to state.
Vans and pickups with camper tops often have the words "ANIMAL
RESCUE" "PET RESCUE" or ANIMAL MANAGEMENT - be aware of these
vehicles in neighborhoods cruising looking for dogs. They frequently
work in teams, man & woman, or two men.

They also change locations frequently and will use abandoned barns,
farms etc to house dogs prior to distribution.