Memorial service held in South Side for euthanized dog

PITTSBURGH — A memorial service was held Sunday in the South Side for a dog that was euthanized after allegedly being stolen from a terminally ill neighbor's Spring Hill yard.

The service was held at the Hot Metal Bridge, where those who attended threw flowers into the Monongahela River for the Siberian husky named Thor.

Thor's owner, Mark Boehler, had been looking for him since he disappeared in November, only to learn he had been euthanized in his neighbor's home in February.

That neighbor, Giselle Paris, is scheduled to appear in court on April 24.

"My days are numbered, but the last thing I wanted to do was see him before I died, and she took that away," said Boehler.

At Sunday's memorial, Boehler, who is battling cancer, said, "I'm here today to show Pittsburgh my thanks and my gratitude."

Jamie's Dream Team, which held the service, presented Boehler with a tombstone with Thor's picture etched into the stone.

Kim Shidel, of Jamie's Dream Team, said, "It's not going to bring the dog back, but it will help him to know people care."

Paris is facing charges for theft and animal cruelty.

"How can you be a heartless, cruel person to do that to an animal and steal somebody else's animal?" said Virginia McCauley, who planned to adopt Thor from Boehler.

Paris' cousin told Channel 11 that Paris found Thor as a stray in Spring Hill and that she cared for him as he was in grave health.

Related stories:

• Attorney says woman who had neighbor's dog euthanized 'wanted to do the right thing'
• Pittsburgh man with terminal cancer pleads for help in finding stolen husky
• Husky stolen from owner with terminal cancer still missing

WPXI