Southeast DC

Father searches for puppy stolen from boat in Navy Yard

The family is worried about what happened to their pet and is offering a reward for information.

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The search is on for a beloved family pet stolen from a boat moored near a restaurant in D.C.โ€™s Navy Yard neighborhood last Friday evening.

โ€œCouldn't believe that somebody would do that and that she was gone.โ€

Edward Matthews is talking about Pepper, the nine-month-old female Cane Corso, a breed of Italian mastiff, stolen from his boat Friday night.

He, his son, and his nephew had sailed up from James Creek in Prince Georgeโ€™s County to have dinner in the Navy Yard area Friday evening. He moored his boat at this dock, within sight of the restaurants, leaving Pepper safely secured in the boatโ€™s cabin.

But when they returned from dinner, โ€œI walked back to my boat, and I saw that my bimini was unzipping, my door was open, and inside the cabin had been pried open, and somebody took my puppy,โ€ Matthews said.

Police are actively investigating the crime.

Matthews is worried about what has happened to Pepper. The breed is known for having a strong attachment to family, and he says his 12-year-old son is very sad to be without the four-legged friend who came into his life just a few weeks ago.

โ€œShe liked walking up and down the pier, running around, she liked playing tug of war,โ€ Matthews said. โ€œAnd she was at the point where she started nibbling on you and biting on your hand. She was just a good puppy.โ€

Matthews has put up posters around the area asking for information as to Pepperโ€™s whereabouts and offering a reward.

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