John and Rachel Johnson of Baltimore were looking for a dog trainer for their beloved dogs: Blue, an 11-month-old white pit bull terrier, and Mikia, a 4-month-old black Cane Corso.  They found “Bad Dog No More” on the internet, run by James Whitten. They drove to Wilmington and paid Whitten $500 to board and train both dogs. 

The Johnsons started to become concerned when Whitten would not return their phone calls. On March 17, four days after dropping off their dogs, the couple drove back to Whitten’s Browntown home in the 200 block of Stroud Street only to find it abandoned.  They immediately called the Wilmington Police who contacted the Delaware SPCA to investigate.

Neighbors say Whitten and his family moved out in the early hours of March 15, taking 9 dogs with them.  Nicholas Pepe, a cruelty investigator for 3 years, told John “I’ll get your dogs for you”.  Twenty minutes later, he had them. 

Officer Pepe recalled an incident in December involving Whitten in which six dogs he was allegedly training were seized from a home in the 500 block of N. Scott St.  Nick drove to that house to investigate.  Whitten’s nephew opened the door, and Johnson's two dogs appeared behind him. 

John Johnson and his wife are thrilled to have their dogs back and are grateful to Nick for finding them.  “These are our babies” said John, choking back the tears.  “If it wasn’t for Officer Pepe, we wouldn’t have our dogs today.”

Unfortunately, others aren’t so lucky and are still missing their pets. Whitten is believed to have stolen thousands of dollars and at least six more dogs.

Whitten has a long criminal record and remains at large.  Anyone with information on Whitten’s whereabouts, should call the police or the SPCA at (302) 998-2281.

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