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

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

Edward Matthews told DC News Now he docked his boat along the Anacostia River in Navy Yard around 9 p.m. on Friday, like he's done plenty of times before.

He said he and his family left his dog locked in the boat while they went out to eat, and when they came back, their new puppy named Pepper was gone. Matthews says the boat's zipper and lock were broken.

Dog found in parking lot adopted after 362 days in Arlington shelter's care

"We walked her [around the park near the restaurants], and someone must have been watching. Cane Corsos are expensive dogs," said Matthews. "Someone broke into the cabin and took Pepper."

Their new family dog is all black with white paws and newly cropped and stitched 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 was taken.

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

Matthews has been hanging up flyers around Navy Yard and doing everything he can to bring the puppy back home. He's been monitoring for any posts advertising dogs on sites like Craiglist and Facebook Marketplace. Unfortunately, not everyone has been helpful in the search.

"Some kids called me and said they had Pepper, but it was a scam. They were trying to get me to send money or Cash App them. It's unfortunate, but it's the world we live in," he said. "It's tough, you know. It's like somebody taking your kid. I'd just like to have my puppy back."

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