Arrest warrant issued for woman accused of stealing dog

An arrest warrant has been issued for a woman accused of stealing a dog and ignoring an order to return it, afterfailingto attend court in Windsor on Tuesday.

It's the latest development in a lengthy disputeover the ownership of Lemmy theNewfoundland dog.

The woman, a dog walker who told CTVsaidshe relies on Lemmy as a support animal,is charged with theft under $5,000 and disobeying a court order.

Tuesday was supposed to be the first day of the trial, but the woman did not show up and her lawyer, Robert Dipietro, was unable to explain why.

Ontario Justice Scott Pratt issued an arrest warrant for the woman, and adjourned the court after just a few minutes.

This shocked the dog's owner, Greg Marentette, and five of his supporters who were in the courtroom.

One of the supporters carried a sign that said, "Please bring me home!!!" It had a picture of Lemmy on it.

Dipietro was unavailable for an interview on Tuesday outside court, butsaidhe hasn't heard from his client in the past six months anddoesn't know where sheis.

Marentette saidhe's been fighting for nearly four years to get thedog back.

Hehas successfully pursued the case civilly, according to media reports,but has not yet been reunited with the animal.

Lemmy is going to be eight years old in February, added Marentette, and he worries about how much time the dog has left.

"We have a lot more tools at our disposal now to find her ... and to get justice and to get Lemmy back," he said outside of court on Tuesday.

He pleaded with the public to report the woman's location.

Marentette saidhe's out tens of thousands of dollarsin his fight for the dog, who he credits with getting him out of the house andhelping his rehabilitation as he recovered fromabad accident.

"This dog means more to me than it ever did to her, so to me it's just selfishness and obsession, obviously."

Get the news you need without restrictions. Download ourfree CBC NewsApp.