Oregon Humane Society staff stop man from stealing puppy, police say
PORTLAND, Ore. – A man had almost made it out the door of the Oregon Humane Society with a stolen puppy tucked in his jacket when an employee stopped him, police and an OHS spokeswoman said.
Brent Klausner, 36, managed to break a lock on a puppy cage on January 14 and grab Burkhead, a 3-month-old terrier mix, according to OHS spokeswoman Barbara Baugnon.
She said Klausner stuffed the puppy into his jacket and tried to walk out, but an alert client saw what was going on and alerted a staff member.
As Klausner walked out of the building, the staff member stopped him.
“Our staff stopped this guy and said ‘is that a puppy in your jacket?’” Baugnon said. “She asked if he was stealing it and he said ‘yes.’”
The staff member got Burkhead back and Klausner left the building. An OHS employee kept an eye on him as a supervisor called 9-1-1.
Officers caught up with Klausner a few blocks away, but did not immediately arrest him, according to police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson. Instead, they took his information and consulted with prosecutors.
Ultimately prosecutors decided to press charges and Klausner was arrested on Thursday. He faces attempted theft and criminal mischief charges, and was taken to the Multnomah County Jail.
While Baugnon said dog theft is rare at the humane society, this is the second case in recent months. In December, somebody stole a puppy that was about to be adopted out. After much media coverage of that case, police in Gresham got an anonymous tip and recovered the dog.
In the wake of that theft the humane society decided to increase security to prevent members of the public from easily accessing employee-only areas, including installing key card locks on several doors.
“It’s a shame,” Baugnon said. “It’s expensive.”
She did point out that in both cases the puppy thieves were caught.
“I hope the takeaway is if you try to steal an animal you’re going to get caught.”
I adopted this puppy and I named him Burkhead after Nebraka Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead, Very fitng name for a pitbull.Â
was he a cousin of the other guy
A puppy so cute you just have to steal it? Buy the dog if you love it so much. I'm guessing he needs another career other than dog napping.
 @The Resistance Rather, I think this happens more often than is reported. The puppies are either being sold outright, or are being used to feed large reptiles. Perhaps even both. Perhaps I'm just too cynical.Â
I am extremely dubious of the idea that these puppies are being stolen by folks who are going to give them loving, caring homes.
Well done, to the client who noticed the thief leaving with the puppy, and the shelter employee who got the puppy back..! Â Â
That puppy is soooo cute... I just love that "spraddled" way they stand when they're little... legs out-stretched in all directions..! Â Â :-)
(What kind of name is "Burkhead" for a puppy..? Â Is that somebody's last name..? Â I think he looks like a "Max"; "Maxie" while he's a puppy...)
Okay, that puppy is so darn cute I have an urge to steal him myself.Â
Bad dog, no treats for you!
 punish him inhumanely!
Notice how you never hear about anyone stealing kittens/cats? Â Wonder why that is? Â Ohhhhhhhh.
 @Sundowner Oh they  do. get stolen..especially  by the ones with large  "pet" reptiles to feed. Check Craigslist where people post their cats being stolen often.
Who names a dog "Burkhead"? What the hell is a "Burkhead"?
Â
He looks more like a "Fred" or "Baxter".
 @AndyP I was leaning towards 'Aristotle', personally.
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 @Dr. Rawdog Not to put too fine a point on it, but , , , , , ,
Don't nearly all puppies go to "strangers"?
 @Jumpin' Jehosophat  @Dr. Rawdog Call me crazy, but I think that was his point.  =)  He's a funny one!
Shucks, he was just trying to liberate the puppy?
Why is this attempted theft? If you leave any store possessing something that you did not pay for, then it is theft - even if the stolen goods are retrieved and returned to the rightful owner. That is why store security will not confront an alleged thief until they have left the building - because that makes it theft. What a wussy, spineless prosecutor.
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 @Dr. Rawdog  Were you successful in your attempt to enter your girlfriend's bedroom? Or did you 'withdraw' just in time? ];->
 @wondering I think for it to be full theft you have to break through the door/store barrier, this is why when some one steals something, They will allow the person to leave and the catch them just after the break the barrier.
Is that a puppy in your jacket or are you just glad to see me?
@Pointblank It just had to be said :)
 @Pvpbw Heh heh heh , , , , Jealous? ];->
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@Mike Smith These pitbull supporters are so dumb they can't even tell when they're being pwnd. The common denominator gets lower all of the time.
 I can't 'thumb' your comment down, so I'll have to do it this way:
Â
 @Mike Smith -1
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 @Dr. Rawdog  @Mike Smith And well done, I'd say!
 @Mike Smith Mike Smith: "Pay attention to me! Pay attention to me! I say outrageous things to get attention!" Awww. So pathetic.
 @Mike Smith Yes, puppies are cute, but the rest of your post is preposterous. At the turn of the century pit bulls were considered "nanny dogs" because they were entrusted to guard and protect the children in their care. You REALLY shouldn't make blanket, idiotic statements like that. (And if you were going for irony or sarcasm, then my apologies for jumping on you!)
 @gofigure  @Mike Smith I have a 125lb Amstaff / Pitbull that is solid muscle. My kids and their friends hand feed him, wrestle with him etc. and he has never shown any concern or aggression. He is very gentle and would only be mean if someone tried to harm the kids. I believe it is all in how any animal is treated and raised. I think some people buy a breed like a pit or a Rottweiler and raise them to be mean.
 @lee986321  @Pointblank  @gofigure  @Mike Smith My niece has the sweetest, most gentle and obedient pit bull. I just love him to pieces. He obeys all commands by humans, even my three year old nephew.  They only dangerous thing about him is his wagging tail.....that thing is like a whip! ~:-D But he was also raised with love and taught that the humans are alpha.
 @Pointblank  @gofigure  @Mike Smith Pit bulls were Origionally "Nanny Dogs" Only a fool and an ignorant person thinks that they are vicious . It is the person that makes the Dog Vicious.