Dog Owners In Mayes, Wagoner Counties Warn Others After Series Of Dog Thefts

People in rural Mayes and Wagoner counties are speaking up after they say their dogs were taken right out of their yards.

The victims say there are similarities with the thefts, and they believe the same person or group of people are responsible. All the owners have the same type of dog, a German Shorthair Pointer. Jo Wylie had three other dogs stolen Halloween night from her fenced-in yard in rural Mayes County - she hoped at first, they were just missing.

"But then after I started putting everything together, I realized they were, they were taken," she said.

She says a neighbor noticed flashlights in her yard the night they were taken. It's a similar story with Julie Payne who lives near Porter in rural Wagoner County.

"It seems to be just a widespread problem where they're just liked canvassing the area and snatching dogs really quick," Payne said.

Payne's dog has stolen two months ago. Both women believe thieves may have taken them for bird hunting season - something the breed is often trained for.

But to Payne - her dog meant much more than that.

"She just goes everywhere with me, and I work for myself, so it makes me feel safe to have her in the car with me," she said.

"And everybody else probably needs to keep a very close eye on their dogs because this seems to be widespread. And it's sad that the dogs can't you know just run and play especially in rural settings. But right now, it's just not safe."

Wylie says she got some good news Friday night when a neighbor let her know someone dumped two of her dogs onto their property.

Wylie says the dogs are scraped and bruised - but otherwise okay.