A dog trainer is under arrest after allegedly faking the death of his client’s $25,000 duck hunting Labrador.
44-year-old Lester Langley of Monroe was hired to train a local family’s pet for duck hunting when Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw says out of the blue Langley called the family with some bad news.
“They got a call from the trainer stating that the dog had died and they were wanting to recover the body of the dog, but the trainer stated that he had already buried the dog,” said Mashaw, who said after the initial call Langley refused to respond to future calls or house visits.
After refusing to communicate with the family, they called authorities who showed up with a warrant. Mashaw says Langley could not comply when deputies demanded he turn over the body. He says Langely appeared to be trying to mislead deputies.
“When the investigators finally made contact with Mr. Langley, he showed them what he claimed to be a grave for the dog, but there was no dog present and it did not seem to be big enough for a dog,” said Mashaw.
Mashaw says Langley has refused to say what actually happened to the canine, but authorities suspect he sold the pup on one of his out of state trips. They hope to find out where the dog went.
“We are going to be preparing some photographs of Mr. Langley and the dog in order to get some of the dog clubs around the country to maybe recognize the two and help us locate it,” said Mashaw.
Langley has been charged with one count of felony theft.
For more information on the missing black lab visit www.OPSO.net.
