Little boy's dog safely returned

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's a happy ending to story we first brought you last week.

Little Eric Rodriguez, recovering from serious burns, had his dog stolen. But a tip from a News 4 viewer helped police bring Princess home.

Although she tried to stay optimistic, deep down Jamie Lee Rodriguez worried her son would never get his pet Yorkie back.

On Mother's Day a young man walking with three kids and two dogs of his own, snatched Princess right from the Rodriguez family's yard.

They felt so violated, and to make it worse, it's already been a bad year for 4-year-old Eric.

"My son was burned in a fire, and we got her as a companion for him. And we were just devastated when someone had taken it," Jamie Lee Rodriguez says.

After News 4 aired the Rodriguez's story, viewers were touched. A local businessman even offered a $700 reward for Princess's safe return. Finally someone touched by the sadness in this little boy's face shared the information she had.

"She wanted to see a smile on my son's face and was excited to see that," Rodriguez says.

And by the time the Rodriguezes returned home from church. Two officers were waiting for them with Princess.

"I was in tears when I found out they found the dog. It was the most amazing feeling," Jamie Lee says.

Police did not charge the person who stole Princess. Jamie Lee hopes if nothing else he's learned a lesson and won't do it again. But they're just glad to have their pet back thanks to someone who stepped forward.

"It's great to see there are really good people out there. And princess is home because of the good deed of this woman," Jamie Lee says.

In our first interview, that's what Jamie Lee told us she just wanted. To show her son to know there is good in the world. And now that's exactly what this family feels.

"To get her back, it feels like our family is a little more whole," Jamie Lee says.

We are waiting to hear if police plan on charging the thief.

The woman who helped police find the dog will be receiving the reward but she wants to remain anonymous so the thief doesn't retaliate against her.