Teen ‘devastated’ after service dog reportedly stolen

A service dog being trained specifically to assist a disabled teenager was stolen from a Hurley, Miss., home Friday night, the teen’s family members said.

Russell Persons posted to Facebook that his daughter’s 16-week-old golden retriever was stolen, along with four other dogs from a Hurley home Friday night.

Persons’ daughter, 19-year-old Claire Persons, is a paraplegic. The puppy was being trained specifically for her, he said.

He and other family members are asking for the public’s help in finding the dog.

A yellow Labrador retriever puppy, black Labrador retriever puppy, a full-grown chocolate Labrador retriever and a full-grown German Shepherd were also taken from the home, Persons said.

Claire has limited use of her right hand and uses a power chair.

Her father said she was devastated when her yellow Labrador puppy died of an illness last year.

“She bought that puppy with her own money. So now that this happened, it just makes it twice as worse,” he said.

In a post to Facebook, he wrote: “STOLEN: My daughter, a quadriplegic, had her 16-week old red Golden Retriever puppy stolen this weekend from a residence of a friend in the Wade community. This puppy was being trained as a service dog to help my daughter perform necessary daily activities. If anyone has any information about her dog, please call me at 601-530-3240. We are offering a reward for his return with NO QUESTIONS ASKED. My daughter is devastated, and we need this puppy back. Thank you for any help.”

The post had more than 1,000 shares in 24 hours.

All the animals are micro-chipped.

Debbie Persons Cogley, a cousin of Claire’s, posted to Facebook: “I cannot begin to describe the disgust I feel inside to think that such low life people walk amongst us that do horrible things like this. I know rewards are being offered no questions asked. It’s just really important that we get her baby back home. Thanks.”

Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said Monday morning he is unaware of any specific reports of the burglary, but said his department has reached out to the family to see where they can assist if possible.

“We learned about it from Facebook, too. If it’s true, we’d love to help. I’d ask the family to contact us,” he said.

Russell Person said he planned on calling the sheriff Monday afternoon.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 9:05 AM with the headline "Teen ‘devastated’ after service dog reportedly stolen."