We at Dogster at not fans of stick-‘em-up criminals, but we typically leave reporting the results of their horrible deeds to the local papers. However, on Tuesday, one of those criminals did something even more awful than stealing someone’s watch and wallet. He took a dog.
It happened in South Florida, when Damica Clark’s brother Darren was out walking her nine-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named India, who suffers intestinal infection and takes medication for it, according to the New York Daily News.
A criminal approached with a phony line — he wanted to sell Darren something. Darren didn’t really hear what the crook was going on about because he felt a gun sticking into his ribs. Then the crook asked for his money, wallet, phone, and so on. He didn’t have much, but he had his sister’s dog.
“He wanted me to empty my pockets,” Darren said. “I didn’t have any cash on hand so he took my two cell phones and my sister’s dog.”
Then the crook jumped into an SUV driven by another man, and they sped off. Darren called his sister and the police, and Damica immediately launched a search effort. She posted fliers in the area and set up a Bring Home India Facebook page, populating it with lost-dog posters that people could share.
India “has major problems with her back knees and she is suffering from her luxating patella,” Clark told ABC News. “She just turned nine about a month and a half ago. Her kneecap keeps sliding. I’m working extra shifts to save up for her surgery.”
On Wednesday, she posted this message on her Facebook page:
Sorry to sound like a creepy pet owner, but India I love you more than life itself. You’re my most prized possession & I’d truly give anything to have you back. There are stupid & cruel people on this world & unfortunately we are victims of such nonsense. I hope whoever has you isn’t abusive, gives you lots of attention, snacks, & treats you like a person. Please keep your spirits up & don’t stress yourself. I won’t stop searching for you. If we never see each other again on this earth, I know in my heart that all dogs go to heaven, & we’ll be reunited again one day. Cuddled up & smothering each other like we always do.
Clark didn’t stop at fliers and a Facebook page — she pestered the store about its video surveillance video.
“I called the convenience store several times, but they said they can’t get the surveillance video because it is only streamed live,” she told ABC News.
Reporters followed up with the store, and the owner said the system is faulty.
“The hard drive is messed up,” Mohammed Shahede said. “The police department wanted to get a copy of the video last time too. It didn’t work. … I want to catch the bad guys, too. I am a community store owner. I understand.”
Clark just wants her dog back.
“I’m begging anyone who knows anything to please come forward,” she said. “You can do it anonymously or contact me personally. I won’t ask any questions. I just want her back home.”
Update: Fortunately, just hours ago, we dog word that India is safe. CBS reports that officers found the dog walking alone on Dixie Highway corridor and took her to Hollywood Animal Hospital. Danca rushed to her side, and the dog has been stabilized.
The criminal, however, is still at large, and anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crimestoppers at (954) 493–8477.
Photos via Bring Home India Facebook page
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