Officials: couple took puppy from Dakin Humane Society

The puppy's name is Poppy. He is one of a dozen dogs brought up from Texas to Dakin right before Hurricane Harvey hit and Dakin wants him back.

Dakin's executive director Carmine Dicenso told Western Mass News that a middle-aged couple came in last Wednesday, gave false IDs, and started the adoption process.

"Working with an adoption counselor, they actually headed outdoors and before we even knew it, they actually just left our grounds and left with the puppy and our security footage confirms that they just walked right out the door," Dicenso noted.

Their target: a four month old female miniature Pinscher mix named Poppy - one of Dakin's 12 so-called 'Dixie Dogs' just transported from Texas and featured on Western Mass News last week.

Dakin has been working with Springfield Police, but decided to go public as well, to try and get help finding Poppy.

"We want people to really look at those pictures and if it's people that you may know or you've seen them in your neighborhood or know who they are, please contact Springfield Police," Dicenso explained.

Dakin adopts out a thousand dogs a year. Dicenso said that not once has a dog been stolen.

"We will always look at, 'is there something we could have done differently in this case?' but we certainly don't want to have that one bad case dictate how we operate every single day," Dicenso added.

There are no plans to change the adoption process - at least not right now.

"We don't see changing the process, but certainly there will be a heightened awareness with the staff and volunteers," Dicenso said.

The focus now is finding Poppy and the couple who allegedly stole him, who will face criminal charges for the theft.

Anyone with information on Poppy or the couple is asked to contact Springfield Police at (413) 787-6302