2 Women Who Stole Service Dog From Vietnam Veteran With PTSD Arrested

Police arrested two Florida women Wednesday in connection with the theft of a service dog from a Vietnam veteran last month.

Osceola County Sheriff's officials responded to a call on Oct. 28 reporting about a missing Pomeranian service dog. The owner, 67-year-old Vietnam veteran Joseph Hanson, had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Surveillance video showed the man was at Old Town near Orlando, Florida, with his two dogs when a woman started an altercation with him. At that time, another woman came from behind, unleashed the dog, named Kira, and walked off with her.

Police said the veteran had no idea about what happened to his dog before investigators reviewed the CCTV footage.

The suspects Jennifer Gotschall, 53, and Monique Cosser, 51, were identified by the police Wednesday after a tip-off from a “concerned citizen” led them to the pair. The investigators obtained search warrants and arrested the two on the same day. The accused face grand theft charges, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years' incarceration, Fox News reported.

Police said the dog, 21 years old, was recovered in good health. However, the veteran died Tuesday before he was reunited with his beloved dog. The dog is now being looked after by Hanson’s friend, CBS-affiliated television station WTSP reported.

In a similar incident in October, son of a Massachusetts congressional candidate was arrested after he stole a puppy from Second Chance Animal Shelter, East Brookfield. Alexander Lovvorn, 19, stole a two-month-old Labrador mix puppy named Mickey from the shelter.

Investigators said a young couple went to the shelter looking to adopt a puppy. When informed that all the puppies were adopted, they requested to play with them.

"The female went outside on her phone, a few minutes later the male came back in and let all the puppies loose within the building," said office manager Lisa Blodgett, NECN reported.

The man then handed the puppy over a fence to the woman and walked out as staff members tried to gather the puppies. The staff soon realized one was missing. Blodgett went outside and saw the lab inside the couple's car. She noted down the license plate and informed the police. The number led to 2nd District congressional candidate Tracy Lovvorn.

"I think they contacted a family member whose car it was and they were able to get the animal back," said Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Shelter.

His son was taken into custody and charged on a single count of larceny. "My youngest son, Alexander was accused of allegedly taking a puppy from a shelter yesterday afternoon. To be clear, he was responsible for bringing the puppy to the shelter on his own accord, he loves pets, and would never intentionally hurt an animal,” Tracy said.