Police confirmed Tuesday that the dog left inside an SUV stolen Feb. 2 from downtown New Canaan has been returned.
Poppy of New Canaan
Poppy, a 2-year-old French bulldog, “has been found and safely reunited with her owner,” according to a press bulletin issued by New Canaan Police Lt. Marc DeFelice, the department’s public information officer.
The Range Rover, left running with the dog inside, was stolen around midday that Sunday from Main Street near East Avenue, police have said.
The vehicle is still missing, DeFelice confirmed.
It isn’t clear just how Poppy was found. Her owner had posted fliers on social media offering a reward of thousands of dollars.
When the thieves fled with Poppy in the speeding Ranger Rover, police tried to stop them but were forced to give up the chase once the vehicle sped northbound on the Merritt Parkway at Exit 38 “in accordance with state law,” New Canaan Police said.
The case remains under active investigation, DeFelice said in the bulletin.
Poppy had been reported returned safely late last week, according to rumors, social media and news outlets citing unofficial sources. The news of Poppy’s theft was shared widely on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, whose users voiced concern for the dog as well as anger at her owner for leaving the animal in running car.
Like other lower Fairfield County communities, New Canaan has seen a rise in stolen vehicles, including brazen daylight thefts where criminals are targeting models including Range and Land Rovers. Car thefts doubled in New Canaan in 2024, officials have said, and in nearly all cases keys had been left inside unlocked vehicles.
If anyone has any information in regard to this incident, please contact New Canaan Police Investigations Section at 203-594-3521.