After hours of calls coming into the New Lease on Life Animal Shelter and Youngstown State University police, a puppy stolen from Puppy Palooza earlier today has been returned.

Lego the puppy was brought in for Puppy Palooza, an event part of the school's Welcome Week, designed to reduce stress and anxiety in students.

In a Facebook post made at 7 p.m., the shelter, which supplied kittens and puppies for the event,  says officers found the suspect around 6 p.m. and returned the puppy to them shortly after.

The shelter says the puppy was taken by a white male with long blonde hair wearing a black shirt, shorts and a beanie. It is unclear at this time who the suspect is or what charges they face.

Police were notified of the theft around 2:30 p.m. today and are looking through camera footage to identify the suspect.

During the event, held on the second day of school at the university, students could play with kittens and puppies that were available for adoption. 

Students could also donate money to support the animal shelter.

The event was held at an outdoor space near the campus recreational facility