Dog’s disappearance under investigation by Tucker Police

The saga of Jasper – a tiny terrier that bolted from his owners’ yard in Tucker on July 3, and whose disappearance has captured the attention of the town – has taken an ominous twist.

Jasper’s disappearance, according to his owners, has now turned into a criminal investigation.

The seven-year-old, 12-pound terrier was spooked during the finale of the town’s fireworks show and escaped from Carmen Gutierrez and Hartford Campbell’s front yard. Dragging his leash, Jasper ran across two major roadways to the LaVista Road Walmart. Several people tried to capture the fast-running, elusive dog but failed.

Campbell said a police report was filed, and detectives have found some convincing evidence that the dog was abducted. Surveillance videos obtained from Walmart by Tucker Police show two people allegedly leaving with the dog, he said.

Police, according to Campbell, have tentatively identified the couple and talked to several persons close to them, but the dog still remains at large. Campbell and Guiterrez say they are discouraged as the trail gets colder and the days go by.

“We are desperate,” Campbell said. “I go out every night to look for Jasper and put up flyers all over. This is a full-time operation going on over here.”

Dozens of neighbors, friends and strangers have joined the search, evidenced by the many posts on the Tucker Town Talk Facebook page.

“Hoping and praying Jasper makes it home soon,” one post said. “All of Tucker is rooting for him.”

Others say that they visit the Tucker Facebook page frequently hoping for news that the dog has been reunited with his owners. Still more comments include tips about how to successfully capture the dog, and others call for the elimination of the annual fireworks show because of the trauma it causes to pets and people.

Gutierrez said she has had Jasper since he was only a month old, and that he is vulnerable and in need of regular medication. Although the dog had been chipped, he was not wearing a collar when he bolted.

“We are so worried about him. He’s just a helpless little dog,” she said. “We miss him and we know he misses us. The dog just lives for us. He is so happy when we come home every day.”

Campbell and Gutierrez are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the safe return of the dog. In the meantime, the couple continues to search for their beloved dog and hope that someone can convince the couple who allegedly absconded with Jasper to bring him home.

Anyone with information about Jasper can call Campbell at (770) 633-3429 or Gutierrez at (678) 663-8432.

Rough Draft has filed a request for the Tucker police report and will update the story as more information is released.

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