The search is on for an Orange County family’s stolen dogs.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office detectives said it’s a case of grand theft and a reward is being offered for their safe return.
If the animals are returned safely and unhurt, they won’t press charges.
“They make my mom very happy because they’re like children, they’re like our kids,” said Edwin Jacobo, the victim’s son.
Drift and Koda are two Siberian huskies — and now they are missing.
The family said they were being groomed as therapy dogs for Edwin’s mother, Liliana Nieto, who suffered a stroke in November.
“I need them as soon as possible, they’re my life, I need them,” Nieto said.
Jacobo let the dogs out the day after Christmas at their home to relieve themselves, but Drift and Koda dug a hole and escaped from the backyard in Meadow Woods.
Neighbors said a man took the dogs in a grey double cab truck and one neighbor told him he was taking them to an animal shelter in St. Cloud.
They were not found at any local shelter. Then, Edwin received a call from a man.
“He was asking like, you’re the person who is looking for the dog. I said yes, yes, he hung up,” Edwin said.
Edwin called the man back twice and then the man sent him a text message asking about the reward.
When asked about proof that he had the dogs, the reply was: “You don’t trust me, forget it. Thanks for your dogs, they’re very friendly.”
The family has plastered flyers all over the Meadow Woods subdivison and beyond. They’ve also flooded social media.
If you know where the dogs are, contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 836-4357.