true, the article did say, the men pushed passed the owner and her friends and pick up the yorkie while INSIDE the apartment complex LOBBY. i know whenever i walk bunjee, i have him on a leash while out, but once inside my complex lobby, i let go of the leash and allow bunjee to walk freely with the leash dragging behind him as we make our way through the lobby and into the elevator. he can always sense which elevator would open first!
so i would give the owner the benefit of the doubt in that sense. not to mention, the men pulled a gun on them. at that point, i don't think it would matter if princess was on or off leash. the men intended to steal her, a leash would not have detered that intention.
this is so sad for the yorkie and for the owner. it's such a traumatic way to lose your furbaby. this is why i tell my parents, brothers, and husband to always keep bunjee on a leash when they walk him outside. they may feel that it's safe because bunjee won't bolt and runaway, he likes to stay close. but with the popularity and value of yorkies and other small breed dogs, you never know about strangers who might snatch him up and run away.
i hope they catch the guys and give them their just desserts!