Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Somebody snagged "Rocky," an adorable ball of fur that's at least part beagle and chihuahua, maybe more. His owners want him back. They're putting up money to prove it.

Alcovy Pet Rescue Inc., a local nonprofit, is offering $500 for information leading to the safe return of the 8-week-old puppy. Rocky was lifted from a Lawrenceville pet shop Saturday during an adoption event.

Yvonne Miller, the rescue's director, said witnesses last saw the dog with a tall black man in a white long-sleeve shirt and a white female with short dark hair, both in their late teens or early 20s. The couple had inquired about adopting Rocky a short time prior to his disappearance, Miller said.

The two were last seen at the Pet-Smart at 875 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

Miller said her group has filed a police report and will press theft charges against the suspects if the puppy isn't returned soon. The dog was too young have a micro chip implanted that could be used to track it, Miller said.

"We just want to get the dog back," said Miller. "That's all we want."

June Flood was acting as a "foster mom" to Rocky until a suitable owner could be found. She suspects the young people slipped the puppy under their baggy clothing Saturday and fled the premises.

Flood fears that Rocky's captors might dispose of him when he doesn't grow up to be what he appears - a baby Rottweiler. She doesn't expect the dog will weigh more than 40 pounds as an adult.

"We take a great deal of time to put these dogs in approved homes," Flood said. "The dog is going to need his second in a series of shots to protect him.

"I don't know that they're going to have the good graces to take him to the vet."

Anyone with information on the puppy's whereabouts is urged to call the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5000.