A FedEx driver allegedly stole a North Carolina family’s French bulldog and threw it into the bed of a hot truck, causing the pet to die during a delivery, authorities said.
Now former employee Kimani Johon Marshall is accused of stealing “Tori,” a show dog with a $5,500 first prize, for breeding purposes, ABC 11 reported, citing court documents.
Marshall, 44, reportedly knew Tori’s owner and had previously asked her to breed her dog with his, but the owner turned him down.
On July 3, he was delivering a package to a neighbor when he allegedly took the puppy from her yard.
Tori’s family desperately searched for her in the nearby woods and even put up flyers around town announcing the missing dog, but the dog was presumed dead.
Their worst fears were realized on July 7 when officers with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office discovered Tori’s body.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators believe Tori, a French bulldog, died of heat stroke or a related illness due to the scorching temperatures inside the truck after Marshall locked her inside the truck while he finished his FedEx route.
The delivery driver turned himself in to authorities on Monday and was charged with dog theft, possession of stolen property and animal cruelty.
He was being held on $50,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s office.
FedEx said Marshall is no longer employed by the company.
“Our hearts go out to the family who lost a beloved pet,” the company said in a statement to ABC11. “We understand the importance of pets in people’s lives and deeply regret the grief caused by this incident. This driver will no longer be providing services on behalf of FedEx.”
The Post has reached out to the company for comment.
