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Stolen Puppy Returned To San Francisco Animal Shelter

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - An 8-week-old puppy that was stolen from a San Francisco animal shelter just hours before he was scheduled to be adopted by a family was returned unharmed Wednesday afternoon, according to shelter officials.

I have great news! James, the puppy that was stolen from the San Francisco SPCA Adoptions Center yesterday, was returned to us about an hour ago! He looks happy and healthy, and we're thrilled to have him back," proclaimed SPCA spokeswoman Krista Maloney about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"James," a light-brown and white mixed-breed pooch, was taken roughly 24 hours previously from the pet adoptions center at 2500 16th Street.

The shelter had video footage that showed a Latino couple in their mid-30s, accompanied by a child, taking the puppy and driving away in an older white sedan.

Maloney said the puppy was "returned to us by a woman who said she bought him for $200 outside the Safeway (store) on Mission (Street). She brought the puppy to her mom's house, and the mom realized that puppy had been stolen because she had seen James' photo on the news."

The SPCA said the dog would now be given to the family that had previously arranged to adopt it.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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