UPDATE: Stolen Pit Bull Returned to Shelter

The four-year-old white Pit bull from the was safely returned Wednesday afternoon after police located the dog at the West Milford home of the man who allegedly took her.

Bloomingdale Regional Animal Shelter Society (BASS) President Ellen Ribitzki said police had informed her Sugar was found after a man had purchased new tags with his address for her at in Kinnelon. The man, Robert Biss, 24, of West Milford, was arrested on charges of fourth-degree theft of moveable property.

While shelter volunteers frantically sent out fliers and emails to everyone they could to find Sugar Tuesday, according to police, Biss' motive was allegedly out of fondness for the dog.

"Biss explained to police that he had made several visits to the animal shelter and grew fond of the Pit bull," police said in a press release. "Biss became concerned that shelter personnel would not approve of his application to adopt the dog, so, when given an opprtunity to walk the dog on a leash, Biss placed the dog in his vehicle and stole her from the animal shelter."

A shelter volunteer, however, said Biss had never walked Sugar.

"He took the application with him because when I asked him if he had an interest in any of the dogs, he said 'no.' The only time he walked her was out the door when he stole her," she said.

Ribitzki said police had told her that when Biss had purchased the dog tag with his contact information, police were led to his residence on Macopin Road. Patrolman Gary Walker transported Biss to the police station where he was able to post bail and was released with a ticket to appear in court at a later date.

Ribitzki also said Sugar is doing fine.

"She's in good health," she said. "She seems a little bit upset but I'm sure she'll be fine once she gets back in her cage."

Ribitzki said Sugar is still available to be adopted to a family that comes in and fills out the appropriate paperwork.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Sugar was found at Petco.