SWAMPSCOTT — After a strange series of twists and turns, Trudy, the 14-year-old hound mix dog, was returned safely to her home on Bates Road after previously being assumed as stolen.
The story began when reports of a stolen dog made its way around Swampscott Facebook pages. Residents were alerted of a dog that had been “stolen by a suspicious couple in a small white van,” with a picture of Ring-camera footage showing the couple luring the dog away from the front yard.
The initial post that swept up the community was made by the dog’s owner, Jeremy Rada. In it, he asked residents to stay alert and notify police if news came to light. According to Rada’s wife, Amy, the couple managed to lure Trudy away from the front yard by enticing her with food. She was then taken into the van, which drove off.
The details of the incident remained hazy for several hours, until Jeremy Rada posted on Facebook again with another update.
In the new post, he noted that the couple accused of stealing Trudy were not attempting to steal the dog, but instead were concerned citizens who feared Trudy might be too cold outside in 25 degree weather.
“Swampscott, thank you all so much for your help,” Jeremy Rada said on Facebook after Trudy was located. “So many people shared our post, and we were able to find Trudy. Thank you to Swampscott Police for everything they did.” He noted that Trudy was in Canton, and was in the process of being returned home.
