Update: Stolen Chihuahua from Pets Inc. Returned

Update, Oct. 14, 2013: A 4-year-old Chihuahua stolen from Pets Inc. last week has been returned.

According to a message posted on the adoption center's Facebook page, Pixie Trixie was returned Saturday but was injured after being thrown inside a yard with "bigger dogs."

"Sadly, they threw this tiny frightened Chihuahua into a yard with much bigger dogs. Her screams of terror incited them to attack. Before we could pull her out, she was severely injured," the post said. 

Pets Inc. has posted a video of the suspects, which can be viewed above.

Original story, Oct. 13, 2013: Lexington County detectives need help identifying a girl they say was involved in the theft of a 4-year-old Chihuahua from Pets Inc. in West Columbia.

An employee at Pets Inc. reported the theft of the dog to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at about 5:28 p.m. on Wednesday, Sheriff James Metts said. The dog is described as a black, brown and white female Chihuahua named Pixie Trixie.

The employee told deputies that the girl and a man who might be the girl’s father entered the animal adoption center at 300 Orchard Drive about 4 p.m.

The man asked an employee to take Pixie Trixie for a short walk on a leash so that he could get to know the dog, Metts said. The man walked Pixie Trixie outside the building, and then drove off with the dog and the girl in a newer model black SUV that appeared to be similar to a Chevrolet Tahoe or Chrysler Jeep.                                                                                       

The man is described as a black male, about 6 feet tall and about 250 pounds. The man was last seen wearing a shirt with horizontal stripes, blue jeans and a blue and black baseball cap.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday released two surveillance photos of the girl who appeared to be wearing a high school Junior ROTC uniform.

Anyone with information about the dog, the girl or the man should contact the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Citizens also can provide information anonymously by accessing the Crime Tip link on the sheriff’s department website.