Woman Gets Jail Time For Extortion Over Lost Dog

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — A woman who tried to extort money from the owners of a lost dog has been sentenced to 10 days in jail.

Fifty-seven-year-old Elena Vatamaniuc of Hagerstown was also fined $500 at sentencing on Tuesday. She had pleaded guilty extortion of less than $500.

According to court documents, a 1-year-old dog escaped from its owners in August. The owners posted signs in their neighborhood seeking the animal.

Two days later, a woman called, said she had the dog and asked if there was a reward. The owners offered $50, but the woman said she wanted $200 and they could get the dog back when they had the money.

The owners called police, who found the dog at the woman’s home.

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