Oregon Sheriff's Amnesty Offer Pays Off In Dognapping Case

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - An unusual offer of amnesty has paid off in an Oregon dognapping case.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office says that three days after a chocolate lab named Brewer disappeared from his owner's yard near Marion, south of Salem, someone returned the animal Sunday afternoon. Deputies had offered a 48-hour amnesty period for whoever took the animal to return it, no questions asked.

Authorities said they had been investigating a neighbor's complaints that the dog was not being cared for, but found nothing criminal about Brewer's care. The dog was taken Thursday night after someone made a Facebook post indicating an interest in rescuing the dog.

Brewer was to remain at Marion County Dog Control until Monday before being returned to his owner.

Dog theft is a felony in Oregon. The sheriff's office said it offered the amnesty because of the "emotionally charged" nature of the case.