Puppy ‘Pepper’ stolen from boat at Navy Yard, owner pleads for safe return

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The search is on for a puppy that was stolen from a boat in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Southeast DC. Police and the dog’s owner are asking for help to get her home safely.

Edward Matthews told DC News Now that he docked his boat along the Anacostia River at the Navy Yard around 9 p.m. Friday, as he had done several times before.

He said he and his family left his dog locked in the boat while they went out to eat and when they returned, their new puppy named Pepper was missing. Matthews said the boat’s zipper and latch were broken.

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“We walked her (in the park near the restaurants) and someone must have been looking at her. Cane Corsos are expensive dogs,” Matthews said. “Someone broke into the cabin and took Pepper.”

Their new family dog ​​is all black with white paws and newly cut and sewn ears, weighing about 30 pounds. The three-month-old Cane Corso puppy had only come home with the family about a month ago.

Matthews’ young son has been distraught since Pepper’s kidnapping.

“He was devastated, heartbroken. It was his first puppy. We bonded with her,” he said.

Matthews has been hanging flyers around the Navy Yard and doing everything he can to bring the puppy home. He monitors all posts advertising dogs on sites like Craiglist and Facebook Marketplace. Unfortunately, not everyone was helpful in the research.

“Some kids called me and said they had Pepper, but it was a scam. They were trying to get me to send money or from their Cash App. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the world we live in,” he said. “It’s hard, you know. It’s like someone taking your child. I just want my puppy back.

Matthews and the Metropolitan Police are offering rewards for Pepper’s safe return. He is asking anyone with information to call police at (202) 727-9099 or contact him at (301) 377-4757.

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