UPDATE: Dog taken from Wilmette backyard last week is now reunited with owners, police say

A dog who was reportedly taken during a home burglary attempt last Thursday in Wilmette has now been found, according to a statement from the Wilmette Police Department.

Wilmette Police issued a brief update around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to alert the community that Leon, the missing pooch, has now been reunited with his owners.

As reported by The Record last week, Wilmette police said an unknown individual grabbed a small, white dog from the backyard of a home in the 100 block of Laurel Avenue before attempting to enter that locked home.

According to The Record’s previous reporting, the time of the initial incident is unclear, and police did not immediately return a message from The Record.

After the failed entry, the same offender reportedly kept the dog and entered a neighboring home through an unlocked rear door.

The dog was the only thing taken during the burglary attempts, police say.

A post on NextDoor shared photos of the missing pooch, a 1 1/2-year-old Shih Tzu named Leon. Surveillance video allegedly showing the incident was also posted.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

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