SIOUX CITY - Police say Sioux City Councilman Aaron Rochester's dog was stolen during a break-in at Animal Control Sunday.

At 6:30 p.m. Sunday Capt. Pete Groetken said an Animal Control employee reported the break-in at the shelter, 2121 18th St., to the Woodbury County Communications Center.

The burglary, which was discovered at feeding time, is believed to have happened sometime between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday,

Groetken said suspects entered a fence that surrounds the facility by cutting a chain that was wrapped around the fence's gate and secured with a padlock.

After opening the gate, Groetken said the suspects entered the yard and went to an indoor/outdoor kennel on the east side of the shelter where Jake, a yellow Lab, was being held. Groetken said they then cut the chain link fence surrounding the kennel, removed the dog and went back out the gate.

"They were able to take the dog out through that and leave the yard of Animal Control and take Jake with them, apparently," he said.

No other animals were taken and nothing else was disturbed at the shelter, according to Groetken. He said police have no suspects at this time. The case will be assigned to a detective in the Investigative Services Bureau today.

Rochester's dog has been at Animal Control since it was deemed vicious for biting a neighbor who walked by their house June 27.

Rochester appealed Animal Control's decision twice. Last month, special master Glen Hanson, a retired police captain, upheld a decision by Sioux City Animal Control that was earlier affirmed by Groetken, which meant a death sentence for the dog.