HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Huntsville couple fears their missing dog has become part of a scam.

Andrew and Alicia Rickabaugh say their dog Hela, a black lab, has been missing for more than a week.

Hela and their other dog, Atlas, escaped the fence at their home in Huntsville. After searching for two days, they did find Atlas, but Hela was nowhere to be found.

The couple made flyers and social media posts with their phone numbers listed, asking for help. Then the phone rang at 3 a.m. on Thursday.

“The gentleman identified himself as someone from the Greater Huntsville Humane Society,” Alicia said.

The Rickabaughs were suspicious and decided to record the phone call. This person told the Rickabaughs that Hela was hit by a car and needed surgery.

And they needed to pay more than $4,000

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