By Chet Williamson

Ruff, ruff robbery

The MetroWest Daily News in Framingham reported that Worcester police arrested a woman last week and charged her with dog-napping a local woman's golden retriever. The dog, named "Dux," was in the middle of a family squabble that took the canine cross-country. On Tuesday, March 11, Worcester Police arrested Margareta Doughty, 61, of Ocean View, Hawaii, and charged her with larceny for allegedly not returning Dux to her son and daughter-in-law. The warrant was first issued by Medway Police. The violation stemmed from a court-ordered agreement.

According police reports, Doughty, who is a dog breeder, was in the middle of suing her son and daughter-in-law for ownership rights. Dux had lived with Doughty in Hawaii before moving to Medway to live with her son's family. The daughter-in-law said they were given the dog because he had severe allergies.

In February the two parties reached a settlement that allowed Doughty to visit Dux. As part of the agreement she would take the dog to Framingham Veterinary Hospital for a semen evaluation and sperm collection. According to court documents, Doughty would then give up ownership rights.

According to police, Doughty picked up the pooch to begin the process, but never made it to the hospital. In a rented car, she drove from Medway to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and booked a flight home. She was stopped by airport police after being tipped off by local authorities. After being questioned, Doughty was allowed to drive to her lawyer's office in Worcester, where she was later arrested.

The son and daughter-in-law now filed a civil contempt charge against Doughty for violating the court agreement.

Upon his return, Dux was reportedly tired, though "happy, relaxing and wagging his tail." o

All information taken from public records, published accounts and court proceedings.