A missing dog has been recovered and returned to his owner Tuesday morning, two days after being stolen by dognappers near the Claremont Pooch Park.

The dog, a cocker spaniel, was recovered at the dog park just before 5 a.m. after police were called about a barking dog in the area, according to Lt. Mike Ciszek of the Claremont Police Department.

“[Claremont police] went out and found the dog, and they thought it was the dog that was missing,” Lt. Ciszek said. “They went and got the owner, who confirmed that it was his dog.”

The happy ending comes two days after two subjects snatched the dog while Mike Heredia, the dog’s owner, was walking it on College Avenue just before noon on Sunday, February 7.

Mr. Heredia gave chase to the suspects, grabbing on to the car and getting dragged for 20 yards, according to Lt. Lori Davenport of the Claremont PD.

The two suspects remain at large. The driver and passenger in the car are described as a Hispanic female and male, both in their 20s, and the getaway car has been described as a black, newer model Nissan Altima with paper plates from Geneva Motors, according to Lt. Davenport.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com