2 Stolen Pit Bull Pups Turned In, 3 Others Still Missing

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Two pit bull puppies that were in a stolen animal rescue van earlier this week have been found.

Rescued Pets Are Wonderful (RPAW) says that two male pups were turned into a gas station Wednesday night in Hugo, a northern suburb of St. Paul, where the animal rescue group's van was stolen Tuesday morning.

Three other puppies that were in the van have yet to be found, and there is a $200 reward being offered for each dogs' safe return, the rescue group says.

The stolen van was recovered Tuesday night, having been stripped of everything. Stolen credit card records and surveillance video showed the van went to several gas stations in and around St. Paul, where large purchases were made.

RPAW, which rescues unclaimed animals from animal control, said the puppies need to eat every five hours. They are only 5 weeks old.

The puppies also have implanted microchips, so anyone who buys a pit bull puppy soon should have the dog scanned to see if it is one of the missing three.

The group has also asked that dog-buyers on Craigslist to keep an eye out of the missing pups.

St. Paul police are investigating the case. It was believed the van thieves were heading to Wisconsin.