Spokane Police Officers Rescue Puppy After Thief Abandoned It

Spokane Police Officers Rescue Puppy After Thief Abandoned It

Officer T. Leming, PIO

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 11:55 a.m.

On April 2^nd, 2026 SPD officers responded to the area of 400 E. 16^th Avenue. A concerned community member called to report an unoccupied suspicious vehicle left running in the area. The caller believed the driver of the vehicle had fled the night prior, abandoning the vehicle, after being caught in the act of stealing packages by a homeowner.

The suspect's vehicle was located abandoned and running. As officers conducted their investigation in the neighborhood, they found evidence the suspect had burglarized a garage as well. The registered owner of the abandoned vehicle was identified as the suspect through video evidence. Officers seized the vehicle as evidence, and it was taken to the SPD Property and Evidence Facility pending a search warrant.

While at the property facility an officer was shocked when he heard the whining sounds of a small puppy abandoned in the back of the suspect's vehicle. The officer immediately retrieved the 8- to 10-week-old puppy and cared for it, knowing it had been abandoned for about 15 hours without water and with very little food. Officers contacted the Spokane Humane Society, and the puppy was transported to them for further care.

Officers were granted a search warrant for the vehicle and located several stolen keys as well as several shaved keys.

On April 3^rd officers arrested Casey Gillette (42) for the crimes of Burglary 2^nd degree, Animal Cruelty 2^nd degree, Theft 3^rd degree, and Making or Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail where he remains in custody.

Related Photos

• Photo of the abandoned puppy

• Older

Know the Number

Emergency Services
Situations requiring IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE from Police, Fire or ambulance: call 911

Mental Health Crisis
Situations requiring IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE by phone from trained mental health counselors: call 988

Crime Check
Non-emergency police services: call 509.456.2233 to report crimes no longer in process or submit crime tips.
Crime Check Online Reporting also available.

City Services
Non-emergency reporting of potholes, graffiti, or unlawful camping, utility billing, and general information on city services: call 311 or report online

Social Services
Social services and community resources like housing, food, and employment help: call 211

For general police email contact: [email protected]

• View Crime Map

Media Relations Contact

Officer Daniel Strassenberg
509-835-4568
[email protected]