A service dog used by a woman to detect low blood pressure has been returned to her after it was taken last week, and Mesa police said a 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged with theft and endangerment.

Officers responded on Oct. 6 to a home after the victim reported that her service dog had been taken by the suspect, Geoffrey Washington, who had been temporarily staying at her home.
 
Washington had asked the victim to take Buddy, her service dog - a 4-year-old rottweiler, mastif and golden retriever mix - for a walk, which she allowed.

“Several hours later, Washington contacted the victim claiming the dog was now ‘ours’ and refused to return it,” a Mesa Police Department release stated.

The victim said the dog is a medically trained service animal used to detect low blood pressure and alert her before she faints - a condition resulting from a traumatic brain injury, according to the release.

“During the period she was deprived of her service animal, the victim reported experiencing a medical episode where she fainted, injuring her neck.”
 
Mesa Police Department detectives discovered the suspect had been arrested in Phoenix, with Buddy, on unrelated charges.

Detectives found Buddy at the Humane Society in Phoenix, and the dog was returned to the victim uninjured and in good health, police said.
 
Washington was arrested Oct. 9 in Phoenix and booked on theft charges, endangerment and interfering with a service animal.