From HeraldSun.com.au

A MINNEAPOLIS woman accused of attempting to ship a puppy across the country will not get the dog back.

The city administrative hearing officer denied 39-year-old Stacey Champion’s appeal to regain custody of the animal, saying the Minneapolis woman’s actions were “disgraceful”, myFOXtwincities.com reported yesterday.

Ms Champion was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty after officials said she tried to mail the four-month-old black poodle and Schnauzer mix, named Guess, in a box with no air holes, water or food. The puppy was discovered after the package moved unexpectedly and a postal worker heard panting inside.

Officials said the dog most likely would not have survived the journey to Georgia.

Officials had expected to put the dog up for adoption last Sunday, but Ms Champion filed an appeal to get the puppy back.

Ms Champion admitted at the City Hall hearing yesterday that she placed the dog in the box on January 25 and said it was meant to be a birthday gift for her son in Atlanta. She also admitted telling postal workers that a toy robot was inside the box.

Ms Champion said she felt “really, really bad as a mom” when the delivery was halted, according to the Star Tribune.

“I was deprived of my son not receiving his gift for his birthday,” she said.

Ms Champion’s request for the box to be returned was denied, since the box is still considered evidence.

The loss of custody is not official until a resolution is reached in the animal cruelty case. Ms Champion must file an appeal and injunction within the court system if she wants to block the adoption. She also must cover the cost of the city’s care for the puppy until her February 28 court date or the dog will be put up for adoption.