June 14, 2005

A champion Bichon Frise valued at $15,000 was stolen Tuesday from the San Francisco International Airport while en route to his new owner in china.

San Francisco,CA,USA

Ryland, the award winning Bichon Frise was taken from the airport cargo loading dock building around 10:30 a.m.

A man believed to be either white or Latino was witnessed walking away with the dog in a beige kennel, said San Mateo County Sheriff's Sgt. Wes Matsuura, and was seen climbing into a white 1990s Toyota 4 Runner before speeding out of the parking lot.

Ryland was recently purchased by a private individual and was being shipped from a kennel in the Sacramento area to Beijing, Matsuura said.

"From what I understand, the dog was a top-notch show dog," he said.

The man seen taking Ryland is believed to be 28 to 32 years old, 5 foot 2 or 3 inches tall and weighing 175 to 190 pounds, with black hair. He was clean cut and wore a short sleeved tan shirt and blue jeans.

Police ask anyone with information about the theft to call Officer Mike Etcheverry or Detective Ken Owen of the Cargo Theft Task Force at 821-5268. There is a $3,000 reward for the safe return of Ryland.