GREAT FALLS - Cody Gudmundsen left his car running to go inside a convenience store last Friday, and when he came back out he saw that someone had stolen his car with his dog Tank inside.
The suspect crashed the vehicle just a few blocks away. The suspect, who suffered injuries in the crash, was later cited for misdemeanor theft (due to the value of the vehicle), reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license.
Gudmundsen says he was just relieved when officers found his dog safe: "The first thing I asked them was, 'Is my dog okay?'"
"I heard on the radio in the squad car that a deputy had found Tank and that he was safely in a squad car, and at that moment was like when all my anxiety kind of just washed away," Gudmundsen said. "I can replace my car, you know, and anything else that's in it. But I can't replace him."
Gudmundsen posted on Facebook after the incident: "Very thankful for the quick response of the GFPD, and the three officers that helped me get my dog back tonight. And the 911 dispatcher, of course. I don't know what I'd do without my Tank! As for myself, I don't know what the hell I'm going to do next... But I have my dog and that's all that matters. So 2020 is starting out with a bang!"
