A dognapper in Britain has been jailed for two years for kidnapping his neighbour's Yorkshire terrier and demanding 500 pounds (over $800) as ransom for its release, the Daily Express reported.
Sara Lilly and Gabriel Radzikowski were on friendly terms when they lived in neighbouring flats in Bath, Somerset county.
But Radzikowski, 29, took away 15-year-old pet from owner Lilly's garden after she failed to help him secure a bank loan.
Pretending to be a man called "Martin", the Polish-born Radzikowski rang up Lilly and mentioned his ransom demand.
Lilly, a regional director in a company, recognised his distinct Polish accent and alerted the police.
In revenge, Radzikowski dumped the dog in a freezing pond, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The pet named Bilbo Baggins, however, escaped death as a passerby plucked him from the icy water.
On Friday, Radzikowski was condemned for his "planned, calculated, cruel" crime as judge Michael Longman jailed him for 24 months.
Lilly, 48, told the jury: "I don't have children so Bilbo is my child really in a certain way."
{{/usCountry}}Lilly, 48, told the jury: "I don't have children so Bilbo is my child really in a certain way."
{{/usCountry}}The judge told Radzikowski: "Your motive was financial and to get your own back. You did not feel the slightest regret or remorse for your actions."