Amelia County couple reunited with stolen dogs

Two small dogs stolen from an Amelia County couple whose home was ransacked by burglars Wednesday were found yesterday about a block away.

John Puryear said he was informed by the sheriff's department after a neighbor saw dogs that met the description of Nikki, a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier, and Indy, a 7-year-old Maltese.

"They're cold and freezing, but we have them now," Puryear said.

The Puryears, who have grown children, said the dogs are like family.

Puryear speculated that the dogs, which weigh about 4 pounds each, had been driven back to the neighborhood and dropped off because they were not dirty nor otherwise appeared to have been outdoors very long.

The dogs are indoor pets and likely started barking when the burglars came in, Tina Puryear said.

Puryear said she became suspicious Wednesday when she called home to check phone messages and couldn't get through. When she came home, she found that the telephone lines had been disconnected from the outside.

Meantime, the search continued for suspects in the break-in. A television and jewelry valued at about $10,000 were stolen by burglars who also took the dogs and their toys and treats, as well as an array of routine household products and prescriptions for high blood pressure and migraines.

"I don't believe there was a drawer that wasn't opened," said Amelia County Sheriff's Deputy John Pollock.

Pollock said investigators obtained several sets of fingerprints from the scene. Authorities had not immediately identified any suspects, he said.

-- Tom Kapsidelis