Not a Bird, a MAN Swooped down to STEAL MY DOG!
 

After work Saturday, I took Yazmin for our usual walk down the main Blvd. in our small community.
I picked Yazi up and went into a new Cell Phone shop but realized how busy they were so I just decided to leave.

Out of habit, I looked down the Blvd. for other dogs before putting her down because Yazi's the one who's usually the trouble maker! :rolleyes:
Didn't see dogs, but I saw people at the Bus stop almost a block away and a man wearing a coat walking briskly past them towards me.
When he got close enough he reached down and literally SWOOPED Yazi up with one hand! He slipped her under his coat, closed it and tried jerking her leash off my wrist while walking away at the same pace he had approached us!
Yazi only weighs 5 lbs. but I was so shocked that she had completely disappeared once his coat was closed!
I immediately started screaming "What the H#ll are you doing?" and tried kicking the back of his legs at the same time. He turned sideways and kicked me in the stomach and tried to jerk her leash away from me again, yet at the same time was still walking away with her at the same fast pace!
Thank God Yazi was wearing her Buddy Belt and leash, because the leash was around my wrist and stopped him from getting away with her so quickly!
The next thing I realized, two guys came up from behind him, one hitting him on the back of his shoulder and yelling "What's going on?". At the same time, the other guy grabbed his arms from behind.
I saw Yazi falling out from under his coat so I immediately pulled upwards on her leash to keep her from hitting the cement sidewalk. She was swinging in the air for a few minutes by her BB and leash and was shaking from fear, but she was not hurt!
The two men held the guy until the Police arrived. When they came over to speak to me, they said the guy told them that he took her because she looked "rad", (cool) so he knew he could sell her! He's was charged with attempted theft and assault on me.
I was so shook up that I didn't even thank the guys who help me. :( The Officer's said they were in the Cell Shop and saw me with the little dog dressed in red. When they came out of the store they saw me arguing with a man but didn't see the dog so they thought something was wrong!
After it was all over with, I was so grateful Yazi had on a thick sweater and was wearing her harness. I knew she was not being choked to death at the time while being pulled away from me, so I was not going to let go of that leash!
I'm sorry for this post being so long and I'm not sure there's any lesson to be learned from it either. I guess I'm still in shock over the whole incident and saddened that I'm now afraid to take my dog for a walk in a community that I've lived in for over 30 years.:(

Oh my goodness!!! How terrible and frightening!! I'm sooooo glad you and Yazmin are ok! What is with people today? It's such a scary world sometimes. I'm so glad those two guys were there to help.

Have you and Yazmin both been to see a doctor? Bless your heart!

That is so crazy to know people are getting so daring enough to try to steal your dog while your walking it. It just blows my mind what people will do for money these days. Im glad those guys were there to help you and all is well now. I dont blame you for being afraid to go on walks anymore. It makes me afraid to walk mine

By the way this is the second post today I have read about someone trying to steal a dog out on a walk. People are just getting more brazen

OMG, so glad you were able to hang onto your little one, and you werent' hurt. I can't believe some people! I hope he gets whats coming to him, thank goodness you still have your little Yazmin, and luckily those guys were there to help!

This is horrible. Thank God Yazi is okay. I wonder if you can ask the police for the names of those guys and send them a Thank you card or Christmas card.

im so glad Yazi and you are ok. How scary.

good idea. That would be very nice gesture.

Carla, thank God you and Yazmin are ok. I'm so sorry this happened to you both.

Actually I took Yazmin in to see her Vet early this morning. He checked her over pretty throughly for any signs of broken or fractured bones and pressed on her tummy, neck and other organs for any signs of pain. She seems to be fine.
I checked her out also once I got her home Saturday, afraid I might have missed something while things were happening so quickly.
She just seemed to be happy to be home, get a treat and curled up to take a nap! :)
I didn't go see my Doctor, even though my stomach's still pretty sore. I know I should, and probably will if the pain doesn't let up in a couple of days. I was more worried about Yazi today.

Thank you, this really is a great idea. I'll call the Police Dept. and get their names tomorrow. I have to go down there also to get a copy of the police report, maybe their names it will be on. ;)

Im glad you got Yazmin in to see a vet now you really need to see a doctor. Youve been through alot too

How awful. I am so glad you were able to keep a hold of her and those nice men helped.

OMGosh! This is so horrible! So glad Yazie's okay. You really should go to the doctor and get checked out... you could have internal injuries or be bleeding...

Thanks Karen for being concerned as I see many others are also.
I guess the only thing that I've learned from this nightmare is too be a little more aware of strangers and more cautious. It makes so sad though because Yazi loves walking down the Blvd. and stopping by to greet most of the little shop owners along the way. :(