Local woman seeks pet’s safe return

Dogs, over the centuries, have become synonymous as creatures of loyalty and companionship. They are called “man’s best friend” for a reason. But just like any friend, canine or otherwise, there is a void that is tough to replace when they leave.

For Mildred Jeske of Russellville, the void left behind by her dog Skippy has been especially hard to handle and has caused her more than a fair share of grief. This is because, according to Jeske, Skippy did not run away or leave willingly. She claims that he was stolen by her neighbor as revenge for an earlier conflict between the two.

“The person next door is the one that stole him, and I know why he stole him,” said Jeske, who did not wish to reveal her neighbor’s identity. “He threw tree branches in my yard and I called the police on him. I believe he stole my dog to get back at me for it.”

Jeske, who is in her 80’s and resigned to a wheelchair, said she let Skippy outside for a while, but when she went to call him back in, he was nowhere to be found. That was on February 21, 2017. Jeske has not seen Skippy since.

“We went miles around looking for the little doggy but couldn’t find him,” said Jeske, who invited relatives to search with her. “I’m positive that my neighbor took him.”

According to Jeske, she and her neighbor have had other issues in the past. 

“I’ve seen him in my yard and peeking over my fence,” she said. “I was being harassed and I think they were trying to scare me.”

Jeske contacted the police and made them aware of the situation with Skippy. According to Jeske, an officer that is no longer with the Russellville Police Department went to talk to her neighbor but was unsuccessful in getting him to answer the door. Ever since then, Jeske sees RPD patrolling the area and believes they are keeping an eye on her neighbor, but no leads to Skippy’s whereabouts have appeared.

Without eyewitnesses or proof that the neighbor stole her canine friend, there is not much the RPD can do to help Jeske find Skippy.

“I don’t think I’ll ever seen him again because I don’t know what (the neighbor) has done with him,” she said. “It kills me because that dog was my little companion and little buddy. He was a good little dog.”

Jeske says she has not had any problems with her neighbor since accusing him of dognapping, but she is hoping that by speaking out about the incident that Skippy will be returned to her.

“I haven’t done anything to anyone,” she said. “My reason for talking about the whole thing is hopefully they’ll read this and bring Skippy back to me.”

Russellville Police Department chief Chris Hargett says he does not believe there is a problem with dog thieves in Russellville, recalling just a few reports of missing or stolen dogs in the last few months.

“I’ve heard of two or three instances like that in the last few months,” he said. “If someone’s dog goes missing or they believe it may have been stolen, they can file a report just like they would with any crime.”

To report a crime, individuals may call the Russellville Police Department at 256-332-2230.