Furry Surprise in Theft Suspect’s Pocket: A Tiny Blue-Eyed Puppy

 An approximately 5-week-old pit bull puppy that was found in a jacket pocket of larceny suspect out of Roseville, Mich., is held on Jan. 16, 2024. The puppy was turned over to Macomb County Animal Control. (Chris Hall/Detroit Free Press via AP)
An approximately 5-week-old pit bull puppy that was found in a jacket pocket of larceny suspect out of Roseville, Mich., is held on Jan. 16, 2024. The puppy was turned over to Macomb County Animal Control. (Chris Hall/Detroit Free Press via AP)
TT
20

Furry Surprise in Theft Suspect’s Pocket: A Tiny Blue-Eyed Puppy

 An approximately 5-week-old pit bull puppy that was found in a jacket pocket of larceny suspect out of Roseville, Mich., is held on Jan. 16, 2024. The puppy was turned over to Macomb County Animal Control. (Chris Hall/Detroit Free Press via AP)
An approximately 5-week-old pit bull puppy that was found in a jacket pocket of larceny suspect out of Roseville, Mich., is held on Jan. 16, 2024. The puppy was turned over to Macomb County Animal Control. (Chris Hall/Detroit Free Press via AP)

Officers in a Detroit suburb found a furry surprise as they patted down a theft suspect: A tiny blue-eyed puppy, zipped inside the man’s jacket pocket.

Roseville police discovered the blue pit bull on Jan. 16 while arresting a man accused of stealing money from a bank customer.

The palm-sized female, about 5 weeks old, was taken to an animal shelter, where staff nicknamed her Bandit until they learned her name is Frappy, according to Jeff Randazzo, Macomb County’s chief animal control officer. Then she was transferred to foster care before being returned to her 24-year-old owner, once he was released from jail and paid an impound fee.

Randazzo said he met with the theft suspect, offering to help with vaccines and microchipping so they can “keep an eye on this dog.” Animal control is “hoping to take a bad situation and (make) it better,” he told the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday.

Frappy's owner is charged with larceny from a person, accused of stealing the customer's bag containing about $5,200. He was arrested hours later, and his attorney, Robbie Lang, doesn't believe the dog was in his pocket at the time of the alleged theft.



KAUST Study: More Large Mammals Roamed Arabian Peninsula than Previously Thought

According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA
According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA
TT
20

KAUST Study: More Large Mammals Roamed Arabian Peninsula than Previously Thought

According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA
According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA

A new study by researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), published in the Journal of Biogeography, has identified 15 large mammal species that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula over the past 10,000 years - three times more than previously recognized.
According to KAUST, this study offers the most comprehensive list to date of large mammals from this period and establishes a benchmark for rewilding efforts in the region. It also serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as the programs of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
"Restoration is not just about plants, for animals play a key role in vegetation communities. In highlighting which large mammals became extinct, we are providing information that will help governments decide which mammals to reintroduce in the future,” said KAUST senior project manager and contributor to the study Christopher Clarke.
During the study, researchers analyzed thousands of petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) collected during field expeditions as well as from shared social media content, which gave researchers access to a large collection of petroglyphs unknown to the scientific community.
The study revealed that most of the 15 mammal species come from Africa, including lions and cheetahs, and identified two species never previously recorded in the Arabian Peninsula: the greater kudu and the Somali wild donkey.
This study aligns with national efforts to restore ecological balance, particularly in light of the pioneering initiatives launched by NCW, including the reintroduction programs for the Arabian oryx and the cheetah.