Man who admitted to dog theft online returns canine

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Police in Texas said a 10-month-old dog reported stolen during an ice storm was returned by a man who admitted to the theft online.

Fort Worth police said Heidi, a 10-month-old Greater Swiss Mountain breed, was stolen from Crawford and Mary Clay Gupton's home by someone who used a tool to cut through a fence during an ice storm Dec. 6, has been returned to her owners, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Friday.

The Guptons posted notices in their neighborhood and online promising a $2,000 reward for Heidi's return with "no questions asked."

A man using the pseudonym "Dogthedogsaver" wrote on website Reddit this week that he took the dog because she was suffering in the cold. The profanity-laced post said he had "rescued" Heidi after there was no answer at the door to the home and calls to animal control and the Humane Society failed to yield any results.

Dogthedogsaver posted to Reddit Thursday saying Heidi had been returned to his owners, but the Guptons did not abide by his terms for the exchange.

A third party "did not pick up the dog as he stated he would," the man wrote. "The owners were there instead. They charged me and demanded my name. So much for no confrontation or questions."

The man wrote he gave the couple money to repair their fence and lock.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.