A family in Clayton County is living through a nightmare after their two beloved dogs vanished from their backyard and reappeared briefly in a shocking video call. What began as hope quickly turned into fear when the man who claimed to have the pets suddenly cut all contact.
Now, the family is pleading for help and offering a reward, as police step in to investigate what they believe could be a troubling case of stolen pets.
Dogs vanish from backyard in quiet morning
The incident unfolded in Clayton County, Georgia, where Shawntae Hubbard says her two Yorkie mix dogs disappeared without warning.
It happened on a normal morning. Her husband had let the dogs out into the backyard before heading to work.
When their daughter went outside later to bring them back in, the dogs were gone.
There were no clear signs of forced entry or disturbance, leaving the family confused and shaken.
Hubbard quickly sprang into action. She created missing pet alerts and shared them across neighborhood platforms like Ring and Nextdoor, hoping someone nearby had seen the dogs.
Hope rises after shocking FaceTime call
Days after the disappearance, the family finally got a lead.
A man contacted Hubbard claiming he had found the dogs.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
“He FaceTimed me and he had my dogs,” Hubbard said, describing the emotional call that confirmed her pets were alive.
During the call, the man reportedly showed the dogs on camera, giving the family a sense of relief.
They agreed to meet later that day after Hubbard finished work.
But that meeting never happened.
The man stopped responding.
He has not answered calls or messages since.
Case now under police investigation
Local authorities in Clayton County are now investigating the case, though key details remain unclear.
Police have not yet identified the man who contacted the family.
They also have not confirmed whether the dogs were stolen directly from the yard or wandered off before being picked up.
Investigators are working to determine if this situation qualifies as theft or another criminal offense.
At this stage, no arrests have been made.
Officials have also not released any information about possible charges if the suspect is located.
What investigators are focusing on:
- Identity of the man who made the FaceTime call
- Location where the dogs are currently being held
- Whether the act was intentional theft or opportunistic pickup
- Digital traces from phone calls and social apps
Family calls it a ‘hostage situation’
For Hubbard and her family, the situation has become deeply emotional.
What started as hope has turned into frustration and heartbreak.
She believes the person who contacted her knows the dogs belong to a family and is deliberately refusing to return them.
“It’s like you’re holding my dogs hostage,” Hubbard said in a heartfelt plea.
She added that the uncertainty has taken a heavy toll.
Sleep has been hard to come by.
Every unanswered call adds to the stress.
This is not just about pets. For the family, these dogs are part of their daily life and emotional support system.
Reward offered as search continues
In a desperate bid to bring the dogs home safely, the family is now offering a reward.
They are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Community members have also begun sharing the story online, hoping wider attention will pressure whoever has the dogs to return them.
How the public can help:
- Share missing pet posts across social media
- Report any sightings of Yorkie mix dogs matching the description
- Contact local authorities with credible tips
- Check nearby shelters or vet clinics
Cases like this highlight a growing concern around pet theft and the emotional damage it causes families.
Small breed dogs like Yorkies are often targeted because of their size and value.
Authorities are reminding pet owners to take extra precautions, including secure fencing, supervision, and microchipping.
The search continues, but for Hubbard, the goal is simple.
She just wants her dogs back home where they belong.
As the investigation unfolds, the story has struck a chord with pet lovers across the region. Many are now watching closely, hoping for a safe and quick reunion.
If you have thoughts on this case, share your views and help spread awareness so these dogs can return home safely.
