Two people in Milan accused of demanding €1,000 to return lost dog

A Malinois escaped during a walk in Milan's Niguarda district after it was frightened on Sunday.

The owner put up notices, and a 26-year-old woman later called to say she had the dog.

She allegedly demanded €1,000 to give the dog back, but the owner refused and contacted Milan's local police.

Officers traced the woman to her home, where she said the dog was with her 22-year-old boyfriend.

Police found the dog and returned it safely to its owner.

Both the woman and her boyfriend were reported for attempted extortion.

The case matters because the owner was asked to pay money to recover a lost pet, and the police action brought the dog home.