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Swiss Man Reunited With Kidnapped Dogs After International Police Operation

March 12, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Szczecin, Poland.

A Swiss man has been joyfully reunited with his two beloved dogs in Poland following a dramatic international police operation.

KMP Szczecin

At the end of February, burglars broke into the Zurich-area home of Rolf Wegmüller, a 59-year-old former municipal council president of Schlieren, and stole his two beloved Bolonka dogs, Qamar and Quentin. The criminals later demanded a staggering ransom of one million Swiss francs for their return.

Wegmüller immediately turned to Swiss authorities, who launched a swift investigation. When he requested proof of life, the perpetrators sent a photo of the dogs near the Polish border—a crucial clue that set international efforts into motion. Soon after, Swiss police arrested a suspect at Kloten Airport.

Meanwhile, Polish police, using the photo as evidence, tracked down another suspect in the northwestern city of Szczecin—where they also found the missing dogs.

Thanks to the seamless collaboration between the two countries, the case was resolved in just 10 days.

KMP Szczecin

Before their emotional reunion, Qamar and Quentin were cared for by the Society for the Care of Animals in Szczecin. Last week, Wegmüller and his brother traveled to Poland to bring them home.

At Szczecin’s police headquarters, Wegmüller was overwhelmed with gratitude.

“I am the happiest guy in the world. My boys were kidnapped more than ten days ago, and I thought I would never see them again,” he said. “The police in Szczecin did the best job in the world.”