St. Paul woman sentenced for stealing French bulldog in Maplewood

In May 2023, a French bulldog named Pablo was stolen from his home in Maplewood, Minnesota. Chanessa Gipson, 35, was identified as the thief who took the dog from the front porch. Two days later, her co-conspirator, Christopher Brigham, contacted Pablo's owner via Facebook, demanding $500 for the dog's return. When the owner attempted to arrange a meeting, Brigham ceased communication, leading to further complications in the case. Investigations revealed that Brigham and Gipson had a scheme where they targeted dogs that appeared lost, either selling them for profit or returning them to their owners for a reward. Authorities intervened, warning Brigham of potential criminal charges if he did not return Pablo promptly. This pressure led to the eventual recovery of the dog. Gipson pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor theft and was sentenced to 360 days in jail, which was stayed for two years, along with two years of unsupervised probation. Her co-conspirator, Brigham, received a more severe sentence of 21 months in prison in December. The case highlights the growing issue of pet theft and the lengths some individuals will go to exploit vulnerable pet owners. The incident serves as a reminder for pet owners to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect their animals. The legal consequences faced by Gipson and Brigham reflect society's stance against such criminal activities, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding pets from theft.