A puppy reported stolen in Burnaby has been recovered in the South Okanagan thanks to the power of social media, according to police.
Cali, a 15-week-old beagle-spaniel cross, was reported stolen on May 10, according to Osoyoos RCMP.
The pup’s owner told police two acquaintances had stolen her and were headed to Quebec in a light blue car with Quebec plates.
A description of the theft was also posted on Facebook with photos of the suspects.
An employee at an Osoyoos retail outlet saw the post and recalled two people in the store earlier who matched the description and who had been looking for dog food and a leash.
The employee was aware the pair had gone to another business in search of the same items afterwards and were looking for free places to camp in the Osoyoos area.
The employee took to social media to reach out to Cali’s owner, who in turn contacted the Osoyoos RCMP.
Two Osoyoos Mounties located the stolen pooch in a popular transient camping area.
“Cali was subsequently seized by police, and, after doing some ‘hard time’ at the Osoyoos RCMP detachment, which included treats, water, a soft bed and lots of belly rubs, Cali was returned to her grateful owner who drove straight to Osoyoos from Burnaby,” stated an RCMP press release.