William Novotny’s, 7‑year-old yellow lab, Bella, is still missing as of Friday, March 15.
Bella was last seen at Home Depot on 117 Main St. in Derby on Monday at 10:30 a.m., where Novotny and his wife believe the dog was stolen out of the car. His wife went in to get a can of paint, leaving Bella in the car with the window cracked four inches. When she returned Bella was not there.
Novotny said his wife was only in Home Depot for 10 minutes.
“She’s still missing,” Novotny said Friday. “I’ve been calling and checking all the local pounds and no one found anything yet.”
Novotny said he put up 100 more posters today (March 15) in the efforts to find Bella. The Valley Indy reported on this case earlier this week.
Novotny said since the first story was posted about Bella, he received 15 phone calls from residents asking how they can help. He received a call this morning (Friday) from Home Depot, where they told him a lab was at the location. Novotny went over there to check — but it wasn’t Bella.
“I’m starting to get really worried. It’s getting cold out at night and we need to find her,” Novotny said.
The dog has liver problems and needs to take medication regularly. Novotny if offering a $500 reward upon Bella’s return.
Novotny can be reached at (203) 520‑3518.