* Melissa Perry Found with Stolen Pit Bull Dog in Reno, Nevada

Published by Junior Staff Writer on May 14, 2010

A woman who allegedly helped a 57-year-old man steal his condemned pit bull from the Alameda Animal Shelter was found Thursday with the missing animal at a motel in Reno, Alameda police said. Richard Cochran, arrested earlier for burglary and conspiracy, allegedly told investigators that he planned to steal the pit bull with Melissa Perry who was with the dog in Nevada. Reno police were contacted and given the location of the fugitives, and eventually both Perry and the pit bull were taken into custody without incident.
The 3-year-old dog, named “Max,” will be kept at Washoe County Regional Animal Services until he can be returned to the shelter in Alameda, where he was scheduled to be euthanized Thursday before he was stolen.
Charges for conspiracy and burglary are expected to be filed against Perry and Cochran by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office.