JOHNSON CITY — A happy existence in a new home surrounded by a loving family was not in the cards for Joker, the dog stolen earlier this month from the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter.

On May 2, two people were recorded on surveillance cameras stealing the pit bull from the shelter. Less than two weeks later, Joker would return to the shelter. But he wasn’t the same, said Shelter Director Debbie Dobbs, which led to a tragic end for Joker. Shelter officials were forced to euthanize him last week.

On May 15, an individual saying he was not associated with the dog’s theft returned Joker to the animal shelter, stating that he had received the dog from another party.

However, Dobbs said while the dog had been returned, the investigation into finding his abductors had hit a dead end. The man who returned him was unable to provide the name of the person he had received the dog from. Dobbs said the possibility was strong that the party who had Joker before the person who returned him may not have taken him to start with.

“I have a feeling that dog may have passed hands a couple of times,” she said.

At first, everything appeared fine. The illness Joker suffered from before being taken had appeared to have cleared up. Dobbs said the antibiotics he was receiving at the shelter must have done their job.

However, not all changes were for the better.

The stocky Joker had lost some weight, and during his 13-day absence, Joker’s demeanor had changed, Dobbs said. While he still exhibited the same friendly attitude toward animal shelter employees and adults he did before he was taken, he returned with an aggressive attitude toward other animals and young children.

While she noticed no wounds on him or evidence of fighting, Dobbs said Joker’s personality change was likely caused by the breeding of the un-neutered animal. Dobbs said such activity in any breed of dog causes the animal’s testosterone levels to elevate and leads to them becoming much more territorial.

“He definitely wasn’t the calm, happy dog he was when he left,” she said.

Dobbs said Joker was given a couple of days to settle down upon his return, and another temperament evaluation was performed. These evaluations help determine if a dog is suitable for adoption, Dobbs said.

This time, however, Joker failed the evaluation.

Joker displayed his new aggressiveness toward children and other dogs, Dobbs said. Shelter employees began receiving complaints from people who were afraid to take their children near Joker’s kennel, she said.

“I had people who came in here with their children and said he was barking and lunging at the cage with the children, so I said ‘that’s it,’” Dobbs said.

Dobbs also said the man who returned Joker to the shelter stated his reason for doing so was because the dog showed aggression toward his child.

Because of Joker’s sudden viciousness and the liability it posed, Dobbs was forced to put him down on May 20, which she said is a frustrating end for a dog that could have found a home.

“He had the potential of being a good dog,” she said.

While Joker was away, Dobbs said the shelter received contacts from people in the community reporting they had seen the dog. Though the reports were accurate and the shelter followed every lead, Dobbs said the culprits managed to stay “one step ahead.”

Even though no new leads were presented from the individual who brought back the canine, Dobbs said the shelter has not given up and still wants information on the people who initially dognapped Joker.

“Sure, we’d love to prosecute them for stealing, because that is theft,” she said.

Dobbs also said that those who stole Joker obviously were not thinking of the dog and the consequences of taking him.

“It’s a shame and a sad ending to a nice dog,” Dobbs said.

Anyone with information about this or any other dognapping is encouraged to call the animal shelter at 926-8769, or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 434-6158.