Alert vet cracks Chihuahua caper

Richard Maltais, husband of dog's owner

What began as a last-ditch plea on Tuesday had a happy ending by nightfall.

Lilo, the 4-pound Chihuahua taken from the parking lot of the Raynham Wendy's more than a week ago and feared dead, was returned unharmed to her owners.

Tina Maltais feared the worst. She had flooded the area with fliers and sent e-mails and faxes to veterinarians.

But it was all to no avail, so Maltais and her husband, Richard, cast a bigger net, alerting authorities in New Bedford and Fall River.

The plan worked.

On Tuesday, a Fall River veterinarian received a call from a Raynham couple seeking treatment for a Chihuahua.

The vet, who knew Lilo was missing from her owners' expanded efforts, asked a few questions, and the jig was up. He told the couple the dog was missing and could be identified by its surgically implanted chip.

The Raynham couple contacted Richard and Tina Maltais and agreed to a rendezvous on Route 44.

Richard Maltais declined to identify the Raynham couple, saying, "They're probably not feeling so good about themselves right now," adding that their explanation on why they had Lilo just didn't add up.

But Richard and Tina Maltais do not care what the motive was, Lilo is back and apparently none the worse for wear.

Richard Maltais said the dog's eyes were a bit red, but she was wagging her tail, happy to be back in her owners' arms.

Lilo was feared dead because the dog is prone to seizures and is on a daily medication to prevent the attacks.

"It will be so nice to go to bed without hearing her cry," Richard said of his wife, who has been heartbroken all week.

"This is a wonderful end to a week of distress," he said. "A happy, happy dog and happy, happy people."

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