Remember Gemma, one of the lost dogs we wrote about yesterday?  She's back at home, but not until things took a criminal turn.  Claire sent this out today to the McNally listserv:

Thank you all for your help, good thoughts, encouragement and participation! Gemma has been found! A very special thanks to the Altadena Sheriff department!

Gemma's owners posted reward signs offering $200 for her return. Someone called, said they had the dog but were demanding $500 to return her safely. Sounds like extortion right? The Sheriff got involved, two officers in plain clothes posed as Gemma's owners to pick the dog up!!! So Gemma gets to go home, her owners have not been victimized and the Sheriff went above and beyond in my opinion! If you are a dog owner be aware of these tactics and when in doubt call the Sheriff!

I love happy endings and doggies safe in their home!

We just talked to one of the detectives who worked the case, posing as the dog owner.  She confirmed that the guy had Gemma, asked for $500, and would not release the dog until he was paid.  But who needs money when you have badges, cuffs, and guns?  He got arrested instead, dog was released to the owner, and charges are pending.