A woman in Ocala, Florida, allegedly found a family's missing dog and demanded $1,000 for its safe return.
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The Woman Posted About the Missing Dog on Facebook
As Ocala News reports, the dog's owner and her daughter said the pet went missing on Friday, Oct. 9. An arrest report says the dog, named "Teddy," was valued at $2,000.
The pair then discovered a local Facebook page for found dogs. There, they found a post with a photo of Teddy uploaded by Christina Cassandra Spence Reid. The daughter contacted the user on Facebook Messenger to claim her four-legged friend.
Spence Reid replied by asking where the family lived. The arrest report added that she sent a picture of herself with the missing dog. She then called the family's home and allegedly asked for $1,000 to return Teddy.
The owner then asked why she had to pay $1,000 to claim her own pet. Spence Reid allegedly replied, "DID I LOSE HIM OR YOU."
The Woman Allegedly Held the Pet Hostage
The daughter agreed to meet Spence Reid to claim the missing dog. However, she refused to return Teddy unless she received the $1,000, then allegedly drove away with the pet.
Afterward, the family contacted law enforcement after sending another message demanding Teddy's return. Spence Reid allegedly replied, "WHEN YOU GONNA HAVE MY MONEY." Another text read, "U DONT WANT YOUR DOG."
Investigators then spoke to Spence Reid, who told them the family "would have to pick up the dog at an animal shelter," then hung up.
Deputies found Spence Reid at a nearby residence, where they confirmed she was holding Teddy. They then took the suspect into custody. She allegedly told them she "didn't even want the dog."
Spence Reid claimed she demanded the $1,000 payment to ensure Teddy's family was the pet's actual owner.
She was then arrested. Spence Reid was released the following day after posting a $2,500 bond. Officers charged her with grand theft of property valued between $750 and $5,000. She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
