Sheriff Facebook Fans Speculate On Pup's Involvement In Car Theft

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — His name may be Bandit, but Florida sheriff's investigators have concluded he was strictly a victim, not the instigator, in a car theft.

Nevertheless, by the look of delight on his face when the joyride ended, it seems as though the little dog thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.

Last month, the sheriff's office received a report of a car stolen in the Moon Lake area of New Port Richey, Florida.

Deputies chased down the stolen car and arrested the car thief. That's when they discovered a tiny hitchhiker inside the car — the car owner's dog.

A photo snapped by a deputy of the little dog excitedly looking out the window of the sheriff's cruiser indicated that the escapade left Bandit no worse for wear.

The photo led fans of the Pasco sheriff's Facebook page to speculate on whether Bandit was truly a victim in the crime.

"After looking at that face, are you absolutely sure Bandit wasn't the one who actually stole the car and forced an innocent bystander to be the getaway driver to take the heat?" asked Billy James King.

"Cute, but don't underestimate the power of a little dog," said Susan Lepine.

"That face just screams, 'AM I BEING DETAINED?!'” said David Schmid.

"He has an evil smirk on his face. I think he’s the brains behind the whole operation," said Bianca Benjamin Blackford.

"That face says, 'Inside Job. Not sorry. 7-11 has my preferred hot dogs, peasant,'" quipped Rebecca Adams.

Bandit was returned to his owner unharmed, but the sheriff's office couldn't resist honoring the gutsy little dog with the title of honorary K-9 for the day.