FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Of interest to
editors and journalists covering: pet abductions, crime trends, family stories, internet
and new media services,
Find Willie:
Another Stolen Yorkie in
A Family's Tireless, Innovative and Emotionally Challenging Search
For Their Stolen Yorkshire Terrier.
LOS ANGELES - March 4, 2007 /WireName/ - WillieWatch (www.williewatch.com)
"My 2-year-old daughter,
Sofia, has assured us that our little dog Willie will see our street sign and
find his way back home. I can't explain to her that Willie isn't lost, but
was abducted and isn't able to come home on his own," said Margaret Starace,
Willie's mom.
Willie was lost for a few
hours on the morning of December 10th 2006 in the area of
Margaret continued, "At first
we thought they may be holding out for a reward, but the weeks passed and they
never contacted us. Besides what would they want with a 13 year old dog?"
Ever since then, the Starace
family has been working tirelessly to get the word out. In addition to the
normal channels such as putting up posters, contacting vets and checking the
shelters regularly, they are using a number of less traditional channels.
They successfully published a letter
to the editor in a local newspaper, Pasadena Weekly, and made a public service announcement
which airs daily on a local public access cable TV station, KPAS.
In addition, Chris uses a relatively
new web service from Amazon called Mturk.com. This service connects him to a
network of workers "mturkers" who help to spread the
word online about Willie. A few kind mturkers went so
far as to put together a video hosted at youtube.com to help get the word out. Chris
is also working Spotrunner.com an online TV ad service which offers the
ability to run 30-second local commercials on channels like ABC, FOX, BET, MTV for
as little as $25 per commercial.
All this coverage has
generated a number of disturbing calls. One man called and said
that he was going to cut off Willie's legs if he didn't get reward money and
then never called back with the details on how to contact him. Another man left
a strange voice-mail in which he makes a barking noise imitating a dog in the
background. He then demands reward money or threatens that the Staraces will never see their dog again, but he seems a bit
crazy and isn't clear on where to meet.
These calls have not gotten their hopes down. Chris added, "If there is anyway that anyone can
help us find Willie, we would
offer unending gratitude and a reward if desired."
Willie was last seen in
Willie is a grey and tan curly
haired male Yorkie, 13 years old, six pounds,
partially deaf and arthritic. He has a wart on the outside edge of his left ear
and on the back of his right ear, frequently shakes and
refuses most treats. He has a purple collar with a tag that reads "Willie,
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WillieWatch
310-490-3901
