Stolen Puppy Found Safe Thanks To Fairfield Police

FAIRFIELD, OH – Call it a Christmas Miracle, or just good, old-fashioned police work, Petland is happy to share that police in Fairfield, Ohio have recovered a tiny Yorkshire Terrier that had been stolen from Petland Fairfield more than nine weeks ago (Oct. 12, 2025).

Just 12-weeks old at the time, the male Yorkie named, Toto, was snatched by a young woman posing as a customer. When she was left alone to visit with the puppy, the woman instead stuffed him into a large purse and ran out of the store – with staff running after her. The woman and the puppy got away that day, but police remained determined to find Toto.

This morning, prior to the store opening, General Manager Lisa Miller answered a knock at the store’s front door. Surprised to see three police officers, she quickly learned that they had recovered the puppy who is now more than five months old.

“The officer told me, ‘We got your dog!’” said Miller. “They said they were trying to find the girl (suspect), but it turned out she is in jail in another state. So, they were checking out the driver (of the car she got into after she took the puppy). They said when they knocked on his door, a dog started barking. When the guy opened the door, a little Yorkie came out to the officers.”

The officers told Miller they checked the puppy’s microchip, and confirmed the dog was Toto.

Now back with his Petland family, Toto is being checked out by the store veterinarian and will be observed for a few days until he is gifted to his forever family.

Petland wants to thank the detective and officers with Fairfield Police Department for their perseverance to ensure a happy ending for Toto.

Editor Notes:

For information related to the suspect, please contact Fairfield Police Department at 513-896-8295 and let them know it pertains to case number IR25-005282.

(Left) Pet counsellor David Sickman holding Toto, with members of Fairfield Police Department who investigated the case and rescued the pup.

Pictured: Pet counsellor David Sickman holding Toto, with members of Fairfield Police Department who rescued the pup.Petland Media Contact: Maria Smith, maria.smith@petlandinc.com, 740-889-8893