UPDATE: March 13 @ 8 p.m.) - Kent Molgat of KelownaNow interviews the owners of Atlas.
(UPDATE: March 13, 2019 @ 5 p.m.) - Atlas has been returned to his family today after he was stolen out of a Kelowna family's yard on Saturday.
Kelsey Galt says that Atlas has been returned to her brother Taylor this afternoon after a man contacted them.
They met the man in Penticton with police and Atlas was seized by officers. Kelsey says that they believe the man was somehow involved in the theft.
Kelsey expressed the family's gratitude to the community for sharing the story and helping them get Atlas back.
"We realize that we got this dog back from everybody's continued support and sharing and we just hope that this is the same trend that will follow for any other missing dogs. We're lucky that we got him back so soon, but that's not the case for most people," says Kelsey.
Kelowna RCMP said the investigation into Atlas's taking "remains ongoing".
Cst. Lesley Smith added: “Over the past few days Kelowna RCMP have received numerous tips from the public and continued to follow up on a number of potential leads.
“While working closely with the complainant, our members were able to track down Atlas’s location and he was returned to his owner just after 4 p.m. this afternoon."
A NowMedia reporter is on the way to speak with the family. We will update this story when more information is available.
(Original story: March 10, 2019 @ 11:20 a.m.)
A beloved family pet was stolen from the hospital area of Kelowna on Saturday night.
Kelsey Galt says Atlas, her brother’s golden retriever, was lured out of their yard by a woman between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the area of Birch and Pandosy.
Her father, Ian Galt, witnessed the event and attempted to follow the woman and call the dog back when she lured Atlas out onto the street and into a vehicle.
Kelsey says that the woman was blonde, looked to be in her mid-30s, and drove a dirty SUV that may have been light-coloured.
They believe she may have used treat to lure Atlas, as he doesn’t like vehicles and won’t get in a car very easily.
The vehicle turned right onto Pandosy towards the Mission area.
The incident has been reported to the RCMP, and Kelsey says that her family has given statements to police. They are also checking any surveillance footage in the neighbourhood to identify the vehicle or the woman involved.
If you see or hear anything about Atlas, please call (604) 312-668 or (250) 212-3858.
