(ANSA) - Police have tracked down a man who they believe was behind a case of 'dognapping' this summer and who may be part of a larger racket of taking pets hostage for ransom.
The investigation stemmed from the August 7 disappearance of a Schnauzer whose distraught owner placed an ad in the local paper offering a reward for her pooch. Several days later she received an anonymous call from someone who claimed to have the dog and demanded a 3,500-euro ransom for returning the canine unharmed.
Rather that put her beloved pet at risk, the woman paid the sum demanded.
However, police who had received the original report of the dog's disappearance became suspicious when the animal returned home almost as mysteriously as it had vanished. Following a number of leads they were able to not only track down the 'dognapper' but also uncover what they believe is an extortion racket in which pets are stolen and held to ransom.
