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Alleged dognapper says she was trying to save animal

A day after a missing poodle was reunited with his owner after being taken from a Mississauga home, the woman charged in connection with the pet's disappearance came forward and said she thought the dog was in distress and she was only trying to rescue him.

Totem, a nine-year-old purebred poodle, was returned to his owner Jennifer Mann Tuesday night, four days after he was taken away while tethered in the family home's yard.

A neighbour's security camera caught the incident on tape, in which a woman was seen leading Totem away.

Mann and Peel Regional Police appealed to the public through social media to help locate the dog. Information led police to execute a search warrant at a Mississauga home on Tuesday, according to Sgt. Matt Small.

A 30-year-old Malton woman has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of possession of property obtained by crime, police said.

Woman charged defends her action

Rachel Balzereit, who identified herself as the suspect, said she lives around the corner from Mann’s home. She told CBC News she saw Totem repeatedly jumping at and scratching the door on Friday night, but the house had no lights on.

Balzereit said she didn’t see any shelter, water or food for the dog and wanted to rescue the dog from frostbite, so she took the dog away.

Mann said, however, that the dog was simply outside the front door taking a potty break and was not in distress. The family was also inside the home with the door open when Totem disappeared.

"If this is her argument then why after four days was the pet not surrendered?" Mann told CBC News.

Balzereit said she and her husband didn’t know what to do with the dog. She also called a veterinarian, but was told that the practice would have to notify the police if she brings the dog in.

In the meantime, she said she bathed the dog, blow-dried it, and nursed what she described as sores, which she said she believes were due to exposure to the snow.

Photos taken by Balzereit show pink marks on Totem, but Mann said it was because her dog naturally has sensitive skin and was groomed the day before he disappeared.

"He is white. Most white dogs are prone to skin sensitivity," Mann said.

In the photos posted by Peel police on Twitter announcing the return of Totem, several yellow patches could be seen on the dog. Police said they were from an ointment applied by the woman who took the dog.

"It wasn’t anything that harmed dog," Sgt. Small said.

Balzereit was arrested, charged and released.

Mann thanked the public and the media for spreading the word, but said the rest is up to the court.