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. :(

WOW! Thats crazy, what is with people,:mad: at least your baby is okay:)
That reminds me, just this moring my sister was taking out the trash and looked over and saw a guy just loading her summer tires in his car! From our yard! So she ran over and said "Are those my tires!? What are you doing!?" And he said "oh, aren't you the one that posted them on craigslist"
and she said "NO!" and he put the tires back and drove off.
I asked her if she got his licence plate but she said it didnt matter and nothing could be done, I was kinda annoyed she didnt try, lol

This is absolutely horrible!! how awful and scary to be enjoying a walk one minute, and be fighting for your dog the next! I am so glad you had the BB on, and I am glad that Yazi is ok!! I do agree that you should also go to the doctor though. I would definitely go and get yourself checked out just to be safe, but again I am so happy for you that you are safe at home with Yazi again!!

Carla, I was holding my breath reading this! I just can't believe it! Right out there in a sidewalk full of people a man tries to boldly just steal your dog right out from under you and then attacks you when you fight back!!! How terrifying is this story - right in your own community and just out enjoying yourselves and this happens? It's hard to believe that someone would be that bold and that inhuman but boy, am I glad you prevailed and fought and thank God there were good men around to help! And that buddy belt sounds like it sure helped you save her by being able to hold on despite everything. I'm sure you are having a hard time processing all that's happened to you and little Yazmin in such a close call with tragedy. I'm grateful Yazmin was saved, that he had no knife to fight you & the guys off and you two are safe and home together. Take it easy and take care of - heck, pamper - yourself and that pretty baby! I think you've earned yourself a nice shopping trip to your favorite store for some nice things for both of you. A little retail therapy after a close call like that is surely in order!

That is just awful! So glad you guys are okay and that wretched man did not get your little girl.

Ugh what is this world coming to? & in broad daylight! What a terrifying experience, glad nobody got seriously hurt & those 2 good samaritans helped out. Poor you, got kicked in the stomach:eek: what if you were pregnant!

Wow, how scary! I'm so glad that you had a tight grip of her and didn't let go. I cannot believe that he kicked you!! I would have taken some serious aggression out on him. I'm so glad you fought back!

OMG! I just cannot believe that someone would do that. The lesson here is "no choke harness" and "keep the leash around your wrist". We usually make a slip knot out of the handle and put it around our wrist. If someone pulls on it,it just gets tighter on wrist. Next time you are trying to kick someones leg out from under them,aim for the back of the knee. Its called dead leg and it will take them to the ground.

Glad you and Yaz are ok. It's a sad day when you can't take your dog for a walk without someone trying to steal her/him. Or someone trying to figure out a way to steal it after you get home.

OMG! I can't believe this happened to you! I would still be shaking. I'm so glad you had a good hold on Yazi and that you're both ok.

My stomach got queasy just reading your post. I am so glad he was unable to get away with Yazmin. How scary that people are that brazen. It was wonderful that those two guys noticed and made the effort to help you. I am so sorry that you now have to worry walking your dog in your home town. Some people are real #$@ :eek: jerks. Hugs to you and Yazmin.

Oh No:eek::eek::eek:

So glad you and Yaz are OK. Just too scary.

When someone attempted to steal Cali out of my car the detectives pushed the part about trying to steal the vehicle because the penalty is greater for that (or assault) than for pet theft.

OMG Carla ! What is wrong with people, they are so greedy and mean. I am horrified that this happened to you and Yazmin. I am also thankful for the men that helped you. Please get yourself checked if your tummy is still tender. Hugs

Thank you everyone for your truly heartfelt concerns for Yazi and I both! ;) I agree with everyone, I should go see my own Doctor to make sure it's just not soreness in my stomach. My first reaction was to kick him while he was walking away with my baby, but I'm only 5'5" and could only reach the back of his leg. He stood at least a foot taller than me so when he turned to kick me, he was able to kick me in my stomach!

Chachi, I didn't realize there was another post that someone else tried to still a dog today. I hope they are both okay. I just don't know what's wrong with people these days! I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life as I was, thinking I wouldn't ever see Yazi again if I had let go of her leash. :(

Yorkietalkjilly, your right. A little shopping trip to pamper my self and to take Yazi to the pet store for a special new toy sounds like the right cure to get over the shock of the whole incident. ;) Yesterday, Yazi and I stayed in bed, cuddled up under the covers together. I felt safe and was happy to watched her take naps all day long.

My lil Friend, I really do believe that if it hadn't been for Yazi's Buddy Belt harness that I wouldn't have her right now! If she would've had a collar on, I would have had to let go of her? Even though she has a microchip also, this low down criminal would have sold her to another unscrupulous person. :(
I can\'t believe I may have to learn how to protect myself in public, just to protect my dog!

I\'ve never been so thankful to anyone as I am to the two men who stepped in and saved Yazi. I can\'t imagine my life without her in it!

Your own fighting-momma-bear nature and those two guys are the heroes in this situation! Take those guys some few dozen chocolate chip cookies and yourself on that shopping trip for rewards! And Yaz gets her special new toy for being so brave throughout! She\'s a trooper!

I am so sorry for all that you and Yazmin have gone through. You must still feel so disillusioned and scared. I believe in the goodness of people, as the two men who came to the rescue illustrated. It\'s so sad that there are also people out there who care only for themselves. Please take care of yourself, and give your beautiful little girl some extra hugs. I hope that thug didn\'t take away your inner sense of security away.