An elderly dog from the northern city of Tiberias that was violently abducted from the doorway of its home was found injured and exhausted in the middle of a wooded area and returned to its emotional owners this week after a rapid operation by police in northern Israel and Border Police National Guard officers.
Police said a complaint was filed earlier this week over the abduction of the dog, Lucky, after a thief put him in a cloth sack and fled the scene by car.
Police officers in northern Israel return Lucky, a 16-year-old dog from Tiberias, to his owners after finding him injured and exhausted in Lavi Forest
(Video: Israel Police)
After opening an investigation, detectives traced the suspect to a 62-year-old resident of Kafr Kanna who owns agricultural land near Beit Rimon. His vehicle matched the description of the car seen at the scene of the abduction.
On Tuesday evening, police and National Guard forces arrived at the suspect’s agricultural property, where he was arrested. During searches at the site, officers found the car allegedly used in the abduction, as well as scissors and pieces of fur identified as belonging to the dog.
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A police officer holds Lucky after the elderly dog was found injured in Lavi Forest following his alleged abduction from outside his home in Tiberias
(Photo: Israel Police)
In his initial questioning, the suspect linked himself to the act and said that after keeping the dog for one night, he realized the animal was not suitable for him and released it in an open area near Lavi Forest, police said.
Officers immediately went to Lavi Forest and began searching the area. During the search, one detective heard faint whimpering and, after locating the source, found Lucky injured, exhausted and unable to walk. The dog was taken to the police station in Tiberias, where he received initial care until his owners arrived.
“Lucky has lived with my parents for 16 years. As far as they’re concerned, he is their child,” Yehuda Elbaz, the son of the dog’s owners, said.
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Police officers, Lucky’s owners and the dog are seen after Lucky was rescued and returned to his family in northern Israel
(Photo: Israel Police)
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Lucky comes home: police return abducted dog to emotional owners
(Photo: Israel Police)
“The police did serious work, collected camera footage and got to the suspect. After searches, they found Lucky abandoned, thirsty, hungry and very exhausted. He has three broken legs and a broken shoulder. He had not eaten or drunk for three days, but he was happy to see us. This is the greatest gift we received for the holiday.”
The dog was transferred for further medical treatment.
Police asked the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning to extend the suspect’s detention on suspicion of animal abuse and theft.