Grace Saenz-Lopez, a small-town mayor in the state of Texas, has resigned following the revelation that she stole her neighbors Shih Tzu dog, changing its name from Puddles to Panchito in the process.

Saenz-Lopez looked after Puddles/Panchito while her neighbors went on vacation; the day after the dog's owners set off, the erstwhile mayer called to tell them that the dog had died. The dog was let out of the basket when a relative of the neighbors saw Puddles/Panchito in a dog grooming parlor.

Saenz-Lopez, mayor of Alice since 2003, was indicted January 18 on two felony counts of tampering with evidence and concealing evidence.

As for poor Puddles/Panchito - he's just hoping that the next person to steal him will give him a sensible name.

The Denver Post