Daniel Sturridge has been ordered to pay 26,000 euros to a man who says he has found his missing dog. The former Liverpool striker offered a reward for his Pomeranian named Lucci, who he says was stolen from a Los Angeles home in 2019. Foster Washington, a rapper known as Killa Fame, claims he reunited Sturridge and his pet but was not paid. A local court has now ruled in his favor.
From court documents that came into the hands of news agency PA News it turns out that Sturridge was convicted in absentia, meaning he has not responded to the complaint. The judge ordered that the football player must pay 26,000 euros in damages to Mr Washington. The rapper told PA News that he felt “abandoned” by Sturridge. “Hopefully he pays and doesn’t appeal,” he said.
?? Find Lucci! “Like I said before, I will pay anything. It’s not about the money, I just want my dog.” ?? Daniel Sturridge makes emotional plea for missing dog: https://t.co/o0xjxi5BZZ pic.twitter.com/xazAFAvsdt
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 9, 2019
“I’m really happy about it, I’ve been fighting this case for over a year, I can’t believe it’s over. When we found the dog I thought my life would get better.” Sturridge, who currently plays for Perth Glory in the Australia A-League, posted videos of damage to his Hollywood home in 2019 and CCTV footage of three hooded men when his dog Lucci went missing.
“We pay everything for the dog,” Sturridge said. “Whoever brings my dog back gets 20,000 or 30,000 pounds.” The footballer was reunited with his dog two days later, after Washington posted photos to his Twitter account, asking, “Is this Lucci?” After the missing Pomeranian was returned, Sturridge said he was “so grateful” to the people who “brought it to the attention,” but did not say whether he had paid out the reward.