Woman accused of stealing cat to get back her dog

[July 03, 2008]  GREENACRES, Fla. (AP) -- Police say a South Florida woman stole a couple's cat to get them to return her dog. Linda Urioste's black Labrador was recently picked up by animal control officers and later adopted by Jutta Hollar and her husband.

Hollar learned a couple of weeks later that Urioste had been to the shelter looking for the dog. Hollar says she had considered returning the animal until she met Urioste, who yelled and threatened to sue.

A few days later, the couple realized their cat was missing. Police say Urioste left a phone message with the Hollars saying that she had their cat and was willing to trade it for the dog.

Police charged Urioste on Saturday with theft and extortion. She was released from jail on a $6,000 bond.

A telephone number listed in Urioste's name could not be found, and it was unclear is she has an attorney.

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Information from: WPBF-TV, http://www.wpbfnews.com/index.html

[Associated Press]

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