SANTEE -- A pit bull that was stolen by its owner from an animal shelter in Linda Vista earlier this week has been recovered.
Workers at the San Diego Department of Animal Services shelter say a man identified as Chris Snow Monday used bolt cutters to free his dog Ryder.
Ryder had been locked up three other times for running loose and Snow did not want to pay the $340 it cost to release the dog.
"I tried to stop him; he shoved me with his dog and his arm," Animal Control Officer Danica White told 10News .
Overnight Wednesday, someone spotted Ryder and Snow in Santee and contacted San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies. They responded to find Ryder alone, without his owner.
The dog was returned to the shelter, but authorities are still searching for his owner.
