Monroe man accused of stealing $25K Labrador retriever. Update: dog was sold

LINK

An Ouachita Parish man is facing one count of felony theft after a dog in his care was not returned to its owner.

According to an arrest report for Lester Langley, age 44, OPSO was contacted Saturday about a missing Labrador retriever the owner valued at $25,000.

The victim in the case said he dropped his dog off with Langley, a dog trainer, in July. He said Langley later told him he transported the dog out of state briefly for training but brought him back.

On Sept. 21, Langley contacted the victim and said the dog was dead.

Per the warrant, the victim told Langley he would come over to pick up the dog, and Langley said he had already buried the dog.

"(The victim) stated he told Lester to unbury the dog, and he would be on his way to pick up the dog," the warrant states.

The deputy made a return trip with an investigator, and Langley came outside and said he would show the investigators where the dog was buried.

Langley reportedly indicated a very shallow hole and started to dig scoops from the hole. According to the warrant, he then said, "The dog is missing. This is where I buried it."

Langley said the dog died of unknown causes on Saturday morning and advised he buried the dog with the help of a friend. He denied selling the dog due to its value, the report states.