Supporters of Trafford woman gather outside hearing in dog theft case

After her arrest last week on theft charges, an Armstrong County woman claimed she had no idea where to find the German shepherd she was pet sitting and accused of stealing from a Trafford woman.

“In her words, ‘I don’t (expletive) know,’ ” Trafford police Officer Stephen Zubach testified Tuesday during a preliminary hearing for Molly V. Bureau, 29, of Cadogan. “She said the dog ran away.”

Humane agents continue to investigate the death of 1-year-old Nani Nyx, he said. The dog’s body was found near railroad tracks in Braddock July 20. Eva Hodgdon said she left her pet in the care of Bureau on July 1.

Theft and receiving stolen property charges against Bureau were held for court Tuesday, and District Judge Rebecca Tyburski increased her bond from $10,000 to $25,000.

“I do believe you’re a flight risk,” she said.

More than 30 people stood outside her Harrison City courtroom with signs and T-shirts supporting Hodgdon and Nani Nyx.

Pam Kearns, a Trafford and Level Green native, Helen Pugliano of Level Green and Caitlin Fanelli, of Elizabeth all said they wanted to come to the hearing to show Hodgdon support despite none of the women knowing her before the incident. Fanelli made T-shirts for fellow supporters bearing the black German shepherd’s picture and the words “Justice for Nani Nyx.”

“I kind of feel like she’s family now,” Fanelli said of Hodgdon. “Mainly, I want Molly and her family to know we’re not backing down.”

Related:

• Woman arrested, charged with theft of Trafford family’s dog

• Dog missing from Trafford family found dead in Braddock

Inside the courtroom, the sound of Route 130 motorists honking in support of the dog could be heard during testimony. Hodgdon posted on Facebook in June looking for a dog sitter over Fourth of July weekend while she was going to be out of town, she testified.

Bureau agreed to watch the dog for $100.

“She told us that she would bring Nani home and Nani would be safe and she would send pictures,” Hodgdon testified.

The purebred dog, which had been going through obedience and cadaver training, was valued at $3,800. Its owner decided to rehome it because the animal wasn’t the right fit to be a working dog, she said. When Hodgdon went July 4 to pick up Nani from Bureau at Trafford Manor, where she believed Bureau lived, neither could be found and Bureau did not respond to dozens of messages and calls.

Police sifted through tips and learned a dog matching Nani’s description was seen alongside tracks in Braddock beginning July 2. They found the animal’s body there and returned her collar and tags to Hodgdon. Humane agents still are investigating how Nani died.

Zubach testified he believes Bureau went straight to Braddock with the dog.

“There was no evidence that Nani ever went into the manor,” he said.

Public defender Jack Manderino argued Bureau had no intention to deceive Hodgdon, but rather it was a “reasonable assumption she panicked, and that’s why she was ignoring calls from Ms. Hodgdon.”

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger requested Tyburski increase Bureau’s bond. Supporters shouted “Justice for Nani” at Bureau as she was led out of the court building and to a waiting sheriff’s deputy’s SUV to be returned to Westmoreland County Prison.