A family is searching for its lost French Bulldog Sugar—and they think they know who has her. After the pet ran away in Prospect park they received a mysterious phone call from a gruff-voiced man, demanding money in exchange for their dog’s safe return. According to the Brooklyn Paper, when Drucie Belman, a Brooklyn resident, failed to offer a sufficient sum, the man hung up and he hasn’t reached her since. Now Belman has put a call out to the neighborhood and a local dog organization asking for help finding Sugar. "I just love this dog," she said.
Last Wednesday Sugar wandered off when Belman’s kids—who were out of school because of the Snow Day—were playing in Prosepect Park. "We called her name and clapped our hands for hours," Sugar’s owner told the Daily News. "The police in the park were looking. ... The Parks [Department] people were looking." After hours of searching in vain they went home. By the time the phone call came from the man who claimed to have Sugar, the mom had already put out an online alert via the dog organization FIDO. Her phone number was also hanging from her pet’s collar.
"We have your dog," the man said. "How much are you willing to give me for it?" Belman asked how much he wanted and whether her dog was alright. "No, no, no!" replied the alleged dog-napper. "How much are you going to give me for your dog?" Not thinking, she said $50, at which point he hung up. "I can't believe I said $50," Belman said later. "I would have paid anything. This dog is the glue of our family." The number was blocked when she tried to call back, and later when he rang again she was on the other line. Now the Belmans are left wondering whether their canine is really in the custody of this bandit or if it’s all a cruel prank. Just last week a doggy coat was stolen from another Park Slope pooch.
