Two of five pit bull puppies that were in a van stolen in St. Paul have been safely returned, albeit hungry, and there’s a reward being offered for the remaining three.

The van serving the Rescue Pets Are Wonderful (RPAW) organization was stolen about 5 a.m. Tuesday in front of Liz Gigler’s home on St. Paul’s East Side, she said. The van was recovered a few miles away but the dogs, which were on their way to a foster home, were gone.

Two of the pups were dropped off Wednesday night at a gas station in Hugo, she said, adding that she’s “very much concerned about the three others.”

The recovered pups “were so hungry, and will be going to the vet today for checkups.”

Gigler said there is a $200 reward for the safe return of each of the other three 5-week-old puppies. The puppies could fetch from $500 to $1,000 each if sold, she said. The puppies have implanted microchips, making them identifiable, she added. People with tips may e-mail info@rpaw.org, call 763-757-8204 or leave a message on the group’s Facebook page. Puppies can be turned in to a vet clinic or other safe place, no questions asked, she said.

PAUL WALSH