Robert Gabbert was deployed to Afghanistan about nine months ago and left his 3-year-old Shibu Inu dog, Baxter in the care of his girlfriend in Colorado.
The now ex-girlfriend apparently was having trouble caring for the dog while Robert was away therefore decided to sell him, of course without his knowledge.
His parents instructed her to send Baxter to their home in Ohio, but he never made it and they quickly learned the dog had been sold to a family in Colorado Springs, according to KOAA news.
Robert was sent the news while in Afghanistan and immediately began spreading the word in hopes that Baxter would be returned, issuing the following ad on Craigslist:
I am currently deployed and my ex sold my dog. I just found out and I am trying to find the people (person) who bought him. I will pay anything to get him back. His name is Baxster and he is an Shiba Inu. I do not have my phone with me. You can email me. The phone number is my mom’s she is helping me locate him. If you have any information PLEASE give us a call or an email.
Following significant publicity with multiple Facebook pages, local TV reports and even national news coverage, Baxter was found but the new family is not interested in giving him back.
“If the new owner does not wish to return the animal, unfortunately it becomes a civil dispute,” said Jamie Norris, Assistant Director for Animal Law Enforcement told KOAA News.
Robert Gabbert’s family has offered a whopping $1,400 to the family in exchange for the pup.
Image Courtesy: Facebook (rwgabbert)
