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Pit bull puppy's theft and return highlights the challenge of pet adoption advocates

The attention given to a month-long search a stolen foster puppy in Holly Springs may help increase awareness about animal "over-population" and efforts to promote pet adoption.

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By
Rick Armstrong
, WRAL photojournalist
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — The attention given to a month-long search a stolen foster puppy in Holly Springs may help increase awareness about animal "over-population" and efforts to promote pet adoption.

At a fundraising event at a Holly Springs restaurant on Dec. 12, a surveillance camera recorded 20-year-old Kennsie Higgins picking up and walking out with Miss Percy.

Last week, police arrested Higgins. Soon after, 19-year-old Brandon Almond turned himself in for his role in the dog napping.

Debbie Sandlin with Pawfect Match Rescue and Adoption picked up Miss Percy, a blue pitbull puppy,at the Holly Springs Police Department on Thursday. "This is the best day ever," she said. "She was not harmed, and she came back no worse for the wear."

Sandlin said one worrisome aspect of the pup-napping was that fact that many people want pit bulls for breeding or even for illegal purposes. The dogs that her non-profit saves are taken into foster-care families’ homes and carefully trained and prepared for possible adoption.

"In our rescue, we require that people have some knowledge of the breed, and we are careful about the placement," said Sandlin.

She says pit bull terriers are euthanized more often than most other breeds. "We want to make sure that there’s a positive impression in the public about these dogs because they are wonderful dogs," said Sandlin.

She says Pawfect Match is prepared to wait for the right long term situation for each dog. "We love these dogs, so we have dogs as long as it takes to get them a good home," she said.

Sandlin is hoping that the publicity of Miss Percy’s theft and return brings more attention and support for Pawfect Match”s careful process.

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