Owners ecstatic after 'kidnapped' dogs from Quebec found near Happy Valley-Goose Bay
On Nov. 24, Serge Morneau wasn't certain if he, or his partner Sylvie Champagne would ever see their dogs again. But after travelling more than 550 kilometres — and crossing a provincial border — Miouky and Moly were returned to their owners.
"It's a good day for us … we are very happy," Morneau said, before breaking out into tears shortly after the dogs were returned.
The dogs disappeared from his car that had been parked beside the Moose Social Club in Fermont, Que.
Morneau said he was inside for no more than 20 minutes to chat with a friend. When he came out, he realized the dogs were gone, and at first thought someone was playing a prank.
"That's what I [was] thinking. After a couple of hours I was sure that it was not a joke," Morneau said.
Morneau and his friends looked everywhere in town but couldn't see any sign of the dogs.
"It was a kidnapping," he eventually realized.
The littlest hobos
Morneau said there was camera footage from an Esso station neighbouring the club, which allowed the Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police force in Quebec, to go ahead with its investigation.
The couple took to Facebook and posted their story, as well as some pictures of Moly and Miouky.
Adding to their concern was the fact that one of the dogs needed to take medication for epilepsy.
Their post was shared all over Quebec and in Labrador.
"[It played] a big role, that's a good thing," Morneau said.
Eventually, it was an anonymous tip that led police to the dogs. The RCMP said they were found in a basement somewhere outside Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
'Un cadeau de Noël'
Once recovered, Miouky and Moly spent a night in the SPCA shelter in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The next day, staff put the dogs on a Provincial Airlines plane.
Morneau and Champagne were ecstatic to receive their dogs at the Wabush airport on Dec. 1, exactly one week after their disappearance.
"Une histoire de Noël, a Christmas story," Morneau said.
"Un cadeau de Noël (a Christmas present)," Champagne added.
Those at the Provincial Airlines cargo office were also touched by the story.
"Obviously the dogs are their babies and they mean a lot to them," said Kathy Freake, who was working the counter at the cargo bay at the time.
"I got two dogs myself, so I can relate to them."
RCMP said the Sûreté du Québec have informed them that no charges were being laid.
Morneau and Champagne were just happy to have their dogs home again.
