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Dog Stolen, Sold Via Teen Craigslist Captor, Police Trying To Locate 'Bella'

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore County Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating a dog taken from the White Marsh area.

They say a 10-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier named Bella wandered away from her White Marsh home around 9 a.m. on October 16.

That afternoon, a good Samaritan found Bella and placed an ad on Craigslist trying to find her owner. A girl contacted the good Samaritan claiming she was the owner and took the dog.

Police say that girl was not the owner, and claimed Bella in order to sell her.

Detectives identified the girl, who was only 16, and charged her as a juvenile in connection with the case. The person that the suspect sold the dog to does not face charges since they thought the sale was legitimate, but they do need to return the dog.

Bella is pictured above. She is described as having moles or skin tags on her hind legs.

Detectives say they are concerned that criminals may be taking lost pets off of the street and selling them on Craigslist. Criminals may also be pretending to be the owner of a dog listed as found on Craigslist just so they can take the dog and resell it on Craigslist.

Anyone with information on this case or similar incidents to call the White Marsh Precinct at 410-887-5000.

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