By Christian Boone For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The poodle mix was sealed inside a box with no air holes, police told the paper. A U.S. Postal Service spokesman said Stacy Champion, 39, informed the post office clerk her package may make some sounds “because it contained a toy robot.”
Champion paid to have the package sent by priority mail, which guarantees delivery within two days — in most cases. She left no food or water in the box, the Star Tribune reports.
Moments after Champion left the post office the box fell off the counter. Workers contacted postal inspectors — the only ones authorized to open priority mail — who released the puppy. The canine was unharmed, according to the paper.
While it is legal to mail certain animals, such as chicks and ducklings, shipping dogs and most other warm-blooded mammals is illegal.
Minneapolis Police Sgt. William Palmer said that if the box had been shipped, the puppy would have been put in an nonpressurized cargo hold and would probably not have survived.
The package’s intended recipient is unknown.
By Elizabeth Dunbar For The Cities
Stacey Champion has been charged with animal cruelty for trying to mail a puppy from Minneapolis to Georgia last week. But now she wants the dog back.
Sgt. Angela Dodge of the Minneapolis Police Department says Champion appealed the animal cruelty citation and will likely have a hearing Friday or Monday. The hearing will determine whether she can keep the puppy or if it will go up for adoption.
If she loses the appeal, there will likely be a long list of potential new homes for the dog, Dodge said. As has been the case with other celebrity animals, the calls are already coming into the Minneapolis 311 phone line asking if the puppy, named Guess, is available for adoption.
In cases like this, Dodge said, people line up the day of the adoption and animal shelter staff take down everyone’s information.
“We draw names. It’s that simple,” Dodge said. “Whoever wins, wins.”
Clerks became suspicious of the package Champion dropped off last week. They called postal inspectors, who opened the box and found the puppy.
Can I be in the draw? Poor wee thing. So cruel. I would love him so much….
Woman will most likely attempt to resell this darling for money since it is now a public interest.
She looks exactly like my Lucy that died a few months ago after enduring the China Melamine poisoning. Boy I miss her every day. Maybe I should put my name into the hat….
Sorry to here out your Lucy….I know the feeling about missing your pet. Put your name in the hat also…if not for this wee dog I’m sure you will find another that would appreciate your love…good luck!!
By all means put your name in the hat, I think I’d be tempted to dognap that poor baby if they give it back to her. What did she think she was doing? She obviously knew what she was doing, or she wouldn’t have tried to tell them it was a robot
NEVER SHOULD THEY EVER GIVE THIS “PERSON” THIS LITTLE DOG! NOR SHOULD SHE EVER BE ALLOWED TO HAVE ANOTHER ANIMAL AGAIN!!
People “line up” and they draw a name? Really??? No applications? No attempt to find the best home?
This dog will end up in another home like Champions.
Can we seal this lady inside a box with no air holes?
I implore all those trying to adopt this one dog….please adopt another needy dog from your local shelter. Think of all the pups that could be saved!
I agree! It’s always weird when one famous dog has two hundred people that want to adopt it. Do the others adopt another dog, or did they just want the 15 minutes of fame for adopting the famous one? Do the shelters successfully push people to other dogs and take advantage of this? I don’t know. Anyone know?
Put your name in a hat? Do they not realize that can be more harmful!? I bet they do not plan on back round checks with past pets or even a pre home visit! Yet we are supposed to trust our police. BULL SHIT!