FedEx Driver Steals French Bulldog And Leaves Her In Truck To Die

A FedEx driver in North Carolina was arrested after he allegedly stole a French bulldog while on his delivery route and left her in his hot truck, where she died. Kimani Marshall, 44, was charged with animal cruelty, possessing stolen goods, and stealing a dog by the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. According to investigators, Marshall took the dog, a $5,500 tan and white French bulldog named Tori, on July 3, 2024, after she had gotten loose from her owner's property. Instead of reporting the found dog or returning her, Marshall allegedly kept Tori in his delivery truck and continued his route.

Temperatures that day were reportedly in the 90s, and investigators believe Tori died from heat related complications while trapped inside the FedEx truck. Sheriff Wayne Coats stated that investigators believe the dog died due to heat related issues as she traveled inside the truck. Tori's body was found by police on July 10, a full week after she was taken.

The Owner's Desperate Search

The dog's owner had been searching desperately for Tori since the evening of July 3 when she realized the dog had escaped. She posted updates on her Facebook page asking for help finding her pet, writing that Tori could not endure the heat outside and begging the community to help bring her home. A microchip scan later indicated that someone had picked Tori up, which gave the owner hope that the dog might still be alive.

That hope was crushed on July 10 when police called to inform her that Tori had been found dead by the side of the road. The owner then learned that an arrest warrant had been issued in connection with the case. She shared the news with her Facebook followers, calling Marshall "scum" and noting that he had been charged with two felonies and cruelty to an animal.

A Prior Connection

According to Sheriff Coats, Marshall and the dog's owner were acquainted. Marshall had previously asked the owner about breeding Tori, but she turned him down. That prior interest in the dog added another layer to the case and suggested the theft may have been premeditated rather than a spur of the moment decision. French bulldogs are one of the most popular and expensive dog breeds in the country, and thefts of the breed have been on the rise in recent years.

FedEx Responds

Marshall appeared at the Harnett County Detention Center and posted a $50,000 bond. FedEx confirmed that Marshall is no longer providing service on behalf of the company. In a statement, FedEx said they extend their deepest sympathies to the family on the loss of their beloved pet and that they understand the importance of people's pets in their lives. The company said they deeply regret the pain the situation has caused.

The case drew widespread attention online, with many people expressing outrage over the circumstances of Tori's death. Animal cruelty charges in North Carolina can carry significant penalties, and the additional felony charges for theft and possession of stolen property mean Marshall could face serious prison time if convicted.