A man is accused of breaking into All About Puppies pet store and stealing a $3,000 English bulldog puppy. But his wife says he had a noble motive.
Nicole Graham said what her husband did Thursday night was an act of love. Largo police call it a felony.
Damien Robert Graham, 32, broke in through a front window at 7:28 p.m. and stole a $3,000 English bulldog puppy from the All About Puppies pet store, Officer James Shinn said.
Officers used a police dog to track Graham to a bar across the street from All About Puppies, 7190 Ulmerton Road.
The police dog then led officers to the nearby Grandview Apartments, where officers found Graham standing at a corner.
<> After questioning him, police found the puppy in his apartment. His roommate said Graham had brought the puppy home minutes before, Shinn said.</> Graham had visited the light-brown and white puppy named Darla two weeks ago, Shinn said.
"He didn't have the money to purchase it, and he got tired of waiting and decided to break in and steal it," Shinn said.
Nicole Graham said Friday a female employee at the puppy store hinted two weeks ago that the business would euthanize Darla soon if no one purchased the dog. Her husband was simply trying to save Darla on Thursday, she said.
All About Puppies manager Trudy Eacret said Friday her store does not euthanize puppies.
"They all stay here until they sell," she said. "These are like our own babies."
http://sptimes.com/2005/10/01/Northpinellas/Was_this_puppy_saved_.shtml
Nicole Graham said what her husband did Thursday night was an act of love. Largo police call it a felony.
Damien Robert Graham, 32, broke in through a front window at 7:28 p.m. and stole a $3,000 English bulldog puppy from the All About Puppies pet store, Officer James Shinn said.
Officers used a police dog to track Graham to a bar across the street from All About Puppies, 7190 Ulmerton Road.
The police dog then led officers to the nearby Grandview Apartments, where officers found Graham standing at a corner.
<> After questioning him, police found the puppy in his apartment. His roommate said Graham had brought the puppy home minutes before, Shinn said.</> Graham had visited the light-brown and white puppy named Darla two weeks ago, Shinn said.
"He didn't have the money to purchase it, and he got tired of waiting and decided to break in and steal it," Shinn said.
Nicole Graham said Friday a female employee at the puppy store hinted two weeks ago that the business would euthanize Darla soon if no one purchased the dog. Her husband was simply trying to save Darla on Thursday, she said.
All About Puppies manager Trudy Eacret said Friday her store does not euthanize puppies.
"They all stay here until they sell," she said. "These are like our own babies."
http://sptimes.com/2005/10/01/Northpinellas/Was_this_puppy_saved_.shtml
