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Dogs stolen outside Benton County Courthouse found safe days later

Nancy Resendiz said she had her car running with the air conditioning on while she visited the Benton County Courthouse.

BENTON COUNTY, Ark — Nancy Resendiz was visiting the Benton County Courthouse Monday when her car was stolen with her two dogs inside. Resendiz, who lives in Missouri, said she brought her Min-Pin, Myia, and her English Setter Bird Dog, Cerveza, to Bentonville on Monday, July 18,  morning.

"I had court yesterday morning, and I parked by the courthouse at the park and I had left the air running for the dogs and would go down to check on them," said Resendiz. "I was down at 10:30, they had a little bit of water, they were sleeping and I sat in the car with them a little bit. I went back up at 11 and within an hour somebody took the car."

Resendiz's mother was going to pick up the dogs at noon, but both couldn't find the 2002 red Pontiac AM Resendiz drove.

"I don't have kids so they're my kids," Resendiz said. "I just want my babies back. I don't care about the car. I'm just afraid they're on some hot road in the car, locked up." 

Resendiz explained that the car was parked at Dave Peel Park. She had parked in the Handicap spot with her Handicap license plate. She called local towing companies, but couldn't find the car.

"It's heart-wrenching because you don't know what's going on with them, or she is hurt, or he's hurt, or somebody's hurt them," Resendiz said.

Formerly from Rogers, Resendiz said she had Myia since she was a puppy. She rescued the Min-Pin 14 years ago. She believed the younger Cerveza could fend for himself but was worried about Myia. She explained that Myia had cancer and required daily medication for a solid tumor in her spleen and a tumor growing in her lungs.

"That's what scares me," said Resendiz. "I don't think she will make it."

Resendiz pointed out cameras on the building behind the courthouse, the county's administration building. Bentonville police informed 5NEWS that they were working to review the footage, hoping to release still images on Tuesday.

"I haven't slept, I can't eat, because I don't know if they're I don't know what's going on with them," Resendiz said. "I feel helpless. I feel like I need to be out driving around looking for them. I can't I don't have a car."

A little over an hour after the story aired on 5NEWS, Resendiz's car was found on Interstate-49 near 612 broken down. 

Luckily, days after being stolen, the dogs were found safe in Goshen.

"I honestly know I would not of gotten them back if not for you," Resendiz said. "I will forever be so grateful to you! You saved my babies I will never be able to repay the favor that you did for me." 

She said the dogs will be taken to the vet to be examined, but that Myia might not have made it another night. 

They were found after police received a call about the dogs being in the middle of the road.  

An arrest has not been made at this time.

Stay with 5NEWS for updates.

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