ALBANY — A second woman has been charged in relation to the theft of two French bulldogs from the front porch of a home on Myrtle Avenue, according to police reports. The 46-year-old woman is charged with criminal possession of stolen property and hindering prosecution in the case involving Anya, a 1-year-old dog taken earlier this month.
While Anya has been reunited with her family, authorities are still actively searching for the second dog, Nova, a 3-year-old with distinctive black markings. Officer Megan Craft, a spokeswoman for the Albany Police Department, confirmed that efforts to locate Nova are ongoing.
“I know the police are still working hard to locate her,” said Alicia Williams, the owner of both dogs. “Our main goal is to have Nova home, but we are very grateful for the Albany Police Department. She’s such a sweet little girl. I just hope she’s being taken care of.”
Earlier, on August 7, a 29-year-old Albany woman was arrested just three days after the dogs were taken. She was apprehended at a Walgreens on Holland Avenue while in possession of Anya. This woman has been charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property and was arraigned in Albany City Court before being sent to Albany County Jail on a $2,500 bail.
Police noted that the 46-year-old woman also had Anya at the time of the theft but is not accused of carrying out the actual crime. She was arraigned in city court on Thursday and is now in Albany County Jail.
The theft of French bulldogs, known for their high market value, has attracted significant media attention. Williams has previously expressed her belief that the dogs were stolen for resale.
