Two dogs rescued after being kidnapped, ransomed for over $1 million

Two men were arrested in connection with the theft and ransom of two dogs in Switzerland, police said Saturday. 

The dogs' owner, a 59-year-old Swiss man, returned to his apartment in Zurich's Schlieren neighborhood on Feb. 24 and found that his two Bolonka dogs had been stolen, Swiss police said in a news release. The thieves left a blackmail letter demanding 1 million Swiss francs, or about $1,135,271, to release the dogs. 

The American Kennel Club describes Bolonka dogs as a friendly, affectionate breed of toy dogs. The small dogs are a member of the Bichon family and were bred as house pets. The cost to buy a Bolonka puppy is between $1,500 and $3,000, according to sales listed by the AKC.