Dognapper Demands Ransom for Lost Pooch

Sugar, a 3-year-old French Bulldog/Basset Hound mix belonging to the Belman family of Brooklyn, ran off in the snow in Prospect Park last week. The family put up flyers in their neighborhood and posted information about Sugar online.

Drucie Belman, Sugar’s dog mom, got a phone call from a man with a “gruff voice” demanding money for the return of the dog.

“I was surprised when he said, ‘What are you going to give me for your dog? How much are you going to give me?” Belman told WABC.

According to CBS News, when Belman offered $50, the man hung up, then called back and said, “Good luck finding your dog.”

A good samaritan walking his Bulldog in Prospect Park saw Sugar tied to a bush. He got the Belmans’ cell phone number from her tag and called them.

“A man called and said she was tied to a bush and that she is very cold, shaking with fear,” Belman told the New York Daily News. The entire family raced to the park.

“I kept thinking as we were running, This is a hoax, this is a hoax,” Belman said. “But I could see a block away — I could see her little bat ears in the distance, and I burst into tears. I grabbed her up and all four of us hugged her at the same time.”

Aside from a bite wound from the good samaritan’s dog, an examination by the family veterinarian found Sugar to be in fine condition.

Belman said she, her husband and sons Henry and Leo are thrilled to have Sugar back. The family rescued the pooch from a Hong Kong shelter before they moved to Brooklyn.

“I have promised Leo to have the privilege of tonight letting Sugar sleep in his bed,” Belman said. “But really, I have to admit as soon as he falls asleep, I want to come get her. I want to hug her and not let go again, and keep her all to myself.”

PHOTOS: wbztv.com and CBSNews.com

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.