Man Posed As Trainer And Stole Another Dog, Sheriff Says

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Benjamin Friedenberg of Soquel is again facing charges of grand theft and embezzlement after accepting money to train a dog and not returning the animal, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

The second case was announced Monday. Friedenberg was arrested again Friday after taking money to train Huckleberry, a reddish-brown Catahoula Leopard dog with spots, a long tail, and one green and one blue eye, the sheriff's office said. Friedenberg did not return Huckleberry, the sheriff's office said.

Huckleberry is microchipped.

The sheriff's office said it is still looking for dog Thor, who disappeared after his owners paid Friedenberg $1,500 for training services.

Friedenberg would not tell investigators where Thor was and he was arrested March 12, the sheriff's office said.

Friedenberg is now facing more charges related to theft by false pretenses, stealing an animal, grand theft and embezzlement, the sheriff's office said.

Anyone who knows anything about the case or whereabouts of Huckleberry or Thor is asked to contact Detective Jacob Pruger at 831-454-7096.