A third pit bull puppy among five that were stolen this week was returned safely Friday to the St. Paul animal rescue where it was whisked away in an employee's van.

An increased $500 reward is being offered for each of the remaining two missing male pups.

The female recovered from Oakdale was in "rough shape" after three days away from her caretakers, said Liz Gigler of the Rescue Pets Are Wonderful (RPAW) organization. Gigler warned that time is running out for the last two abducted pups — one chocolate and one brindle — because they must be fed a specific way for survival.

Friday's recovered female spent the day at the veterinarian clinic before being released, Gigler said.

All five dogs were stolen about 5 a.m. Tuesday from an RPAW van parked in front of Gigler's home on St. Paul's East Side. The van was quickly recovered a few miles away, but the 5-week-old puppies — preparing for transport to a foster home — were missing.

Two of the pups were dropped off Wednesday night at a gas station in Hugo.

People with tips may e-mail info@rpaw.org, call 763-757-8204 or leave a message on the group's Facebook page.

Star Tribune staff writer Paul Walsh contributed to this report.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648