West Baltimore family seeks return of stolen Shiba Inu Bandit

Bandit, a 3‑year‑old Shiba Inu, was taken from the Cook family’s front yard on August 4 around 5:30 p.m., prompting a police report and a public reward for his safe return [2].

Details of the theft

Arthur Cook, a former Baltimore City patrol officer, discovered the gate to his gated front yard open and Bandit missing when he checked the yard at 5:30 p.m. [3]. Surveillance footage captured a stranger walking Bandit on a leash near the corner of West Baltimore Street and North Franklintown Road, after which the dog’s AirTag was abandoned in brush at the 2,800 block of Baltimore Street [3]. The family has circulated flyers and is offering a monetary reward for Bandit’s return [1][2].

Police response and community effort

The Cook family filed a report with the Baltimore Police Department on August 6, and the department confirmed it is investigating the case, though no arrests have been made to date [2][3]. Community members have been asked to watch for the dog and any suspicious activity around the identified location, and the family continues to monitor the AirTag’s last known coordinates [1].

What to watch

• Any updates from Baltimore Police regarding suspects or arrests.
• Further sightings of Bandit near the 2,800 block of Baltimore Street or the Mosher Food Market area.
• Additional community‑sourced footage or information that could aid the investigation.

The disappearance underscores the vulnerability of pets even in secured yards and highlights the growing reliance on tracking devices like Apple’s AirTag for recovery efforts. The case remains open, and the Cook family hopes for Bandit’s safe return.