Latest news with #Bolonka
Ammon
11-03-2025
- Ammon
Swiss police rescue two dogs kidnapped for over $1 million ransom
Ammon News - Swiss police said Saturday they had solved a kidnapping involving two dogs and a demand for ransom of 1 million Swiss francs (about $1.135 million). Zurich police said that two Bolonka dogs were stolen from the home of a 59-year-old man in Schlieren near Zurich last week, while the dog owner was away. When the man returned, the dogs were gone and he found a letter demanding money to release the small dogs. Instead of paying the ransom, the man, who was not identified by name in line with Swiss privacy rules, called the police. In the course of the investigation, police on Thursday arrested a 30-year-old Norwegian man at Zurich Airport who police said was strongly suspected of being involved in the theft. Following further leads and cross-European cooperation, police in Poland then detained a 38-year-old suspect and discovered the kidnapped Bolonkas, which they returned safely to their owner on Friday. Swiss police said the Norwegian is in custody in Switzerland and authorities in Poland are further investigating the Polish suspect. A Bolonka is a toy breed of dogs bred in Russia and sold for up to a couple of thousand dollars. AP
The Independent
10-03-2025
- The Independent
Dognappers steal two Bolonkas and demand £880,000 ransom from owner
Swiss police have rescued two dogs kidnapped for a ransom of more than £880,000. The Bolonka dogs were taken from the home of a 59-year-old man in Schlieren near Zurich, while he was away, Zurich authorities said. When the owner returned home, he found a ransom note demanding £880,000 (1 million Swiss francs) for their return. The distressed owner then contacted Zurich police, triggering an investigation and a week-long search. A 30-year-old Norwegian suspect, believed to be involved in the kidnapping, was arrested at Zurich airport. A 38-year-old suspect was also detained with the help of Polish police. The dogs were safely returned to their owners on Friday. The average price of Bolonkas, a toy breed originating in Russia, is between £1,200 and £2,300. The 30-year-old remains in custody and Polish authorities are carrying out further investigations into the 38-year-old. Neither suspect has been named and the investigation is ongoing. It comes after a Norfolk couple was recently reunited with their beloved Labrador, stolen nearly 10 years ago. Daisy was stolen from Rita and Philip Potter's garden in November 2017. A tireless search followed, which included social media campaigns and a petition urging government action against pet theft, and finally reached its joyous conclusion thanks to the RSPCA. Daisy, now 13, was discovered over 200 miles away in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, by an RSPCA inspector during routine investigations.
Arab Times
09-03-2025
- Arab Times
Swiss police rescue two dogs kidnapped for over $1 million ransom
ZURICH, Switzerland, March 9, (AP): Swiss police said Saturday they had solved a kidnapping involving two dogs and a demand for ransom of 1 million Swiss francs (about $1.135 million). Zurich police said that two Bolonka dogs were stolen from the home of a 59-year-old man in Schlieren near Zurich last week, while the dog owner was away. When the man returned, the dogs were gone and he found a letter demanding money to release the small dogs. Instead of paying the ransom, the man, who was not identified by name in line with Swiss privacy rules, called the police. In the course of the investigation, police on Thursday arrested a 30-year-old Norwegian man at Zurich Airport who police said was strongly suspected of being involved in the theft. Following further leads and cross-European cooperation, police in Poland then detained a 38-year-old suspect and discovered the kidnapped Bolonkas, which they returned safely to their owner on Friday. Swiss police said the Norwegian is in custody in Switzerland and authorities in Poland are further investigating the Polish suspect. A Bolonka is a toy breed of dogs bred in Russia and sold for up to a couple of thousand dollars.
Voice of America
08-03-2025
- Voice of America
Swiss police rescue 2 dogs stolen for more than $1 million ransom
Swiss police said Saturday they had solved a kidnapping involving two dogs and a demand for ransom of 1 million Swiss francs (about $1.135 million). Zurich police said that two Bolonka dogs were stolen from the home of a 59-year-old man in Schlieren near Zurich last week, while the dog owner was away. When the man returned, the dogs were gone, and he found a letter demanding money to release the small dogs. Instead of paying the ransom, the man, who was not identified by name in line with Swiss privacy rules, called the police. During the investigation, police arrested a 30-year-old Norwegian man Thursday at Zurich Airport. Police said he was strongly suspected of being involved in the theft. Following further leads and cross-European cooperation, police in Poland then detained a 38-year-old suspect and discovered the kidnapped Bolonkas, which they returned safely to their owner Friday. Swiss police said the Norwegian is in custody in Switzerland and authorities in Poland are further investigating the Polish suspect. A Bolonka is a toy breed of dogs bred in Russia and sold for up to a couple of thousand dollars.
CBS News
08-03-2025
- CBS News
2 dogs rescued after being kidnapped, ransomed for over $1 million
Two men were arrested in connection with the theft and ransom of two dogs in Switzerland, police said Saturday. The dogs' owner, a 59-year-old Swiss man, returned to his apartment in Zurich's Schlieren neighborhood on Feb. 24 and found that his two Bolonka dogs had been stolen, Swiss police said in a news release. The thieves left a blackmail letter demanding 1 million Swiss francs, or about $1,135,271, to release the dogs. The American Kennel Club describes Bolonka dogs as a friendly, affectionate breed of toy dogs. The small dogs are a member of the Bichon family and were bred as house pets. The cost to buy a Bolonka puppy is between $1,500 and $3,000, according to sales listed by the AKC. The dogs' owner, who was not been identified, called the police, who began investigating the theft. On Thursday, they arrested a 30-year-old Norwegian man at Zurich Airport. Police said the Norwegian man was about to leave the country. He is now in custody in Switzerland, police said. Further investigations led police to Poland. Investigators determined that a 38-year-old Polish man was "presumably involved in the theft." Polish police arrested the man on March 5. Further investigations will be handled by Polish police, officials said. Polish police found the two dogs at the home. The dogs' owner traveled to Poland and regained custody of the canines on Friday.
