FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey (WABC) — A puppy that was inside of a car that was stolen from a CVS parking lot in New Jersey has been found safe!
The family posted on social media that someone found 3-month-old Bauer on the side of Route 78 by Newark Airport while on their way home from work.
The dog was reunited with its family.
Bauer was inside of a BMW when it was stolen.
The owner, Jaclyn Katz, ran into CVS and left the car running to keep the puppy warm, but she took her phone and key fob for the car with her.
"It was freezing out, so I left my car running to keep him warm. I did not leave the key inside the car. Went inside for my prescription came out. My car was gone," Jaclyn said.
It happened around 5 p.m. on Monday night.
The thief jumped in the car and drove off.
"My husband and my son were at hockey practice so I figured I'd just take the dog with me. He doesn't like to be left alone, he's still a baby," Katz said.
She thought taking the key fob inside the store with her would prevent someone from being able to drive off with the car.
"Don't ever leave your car running, don't ever leave the key fobs in it. Even too close to the car, some of the cars will activate even if the car is close to the fob without being in it," Captain Brian Ford with the Florham Park Police Department said.
Captain Ford said there have been three car thefts in the past two and a half weeks, all similar situations, but no dogs were taken.
If the car is running even if it's locked, a thief can jump in, drive off, and create a key later.
"It's not that difficult to re-key a car. To reprogram key fobs or an actual key if the car is still using the actual keys," Ford said.
Katz said the family had just gotten Bauer for Christmas after losing their 13-year-old family dog Rufus around Thanksgiving.
The family said they are beyond grateful Bauer is home safe.
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