WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KNX) — A man’s French bulldog was stolen in what authorities have described as a violent attack in West Hollywood on Tuesday.
The owner, Robert Marinelli, was walking his eight-year-old bulldog Luca at around 7:30 a.m. near Shoreham Drive and North Weatherly Drive when a man jumped out of a black sedan idling on the street. The man approached Marinelli, and as the owner tried to pick Luca up and run, he was knocked to the ground.
“He pushed me down and slammed the door,” Marinelli told ABC 7. “And slamming the door must’ve caught part of me or my coat in it,” he added, claiming he was then dragged some 200 feet as the vehicle sped off with Luca inside.
The theft is the latest in a string of crimes targeting French bulldog owners in the Los Angeles area, as the breed is often resold for thousands of dollars. Earlier this year, French bulldogs owned by singer-actress Lady Gaga were stolen, with her dog walker shot by thieves. Five people were eventually arrested in connection with the scheme.
Marinelli said Luca had a history of medical issues and dietary restrictions, and was missing a toe due to cancer.
“He’s not really the kind of dog that is [going to] fetch a lot of money at this point,” he told ABC 7.
The Los Angeles Police Department shared details of the suspects, saying a second person, a woman, stayed in the car while the male suspect hopped out to snatch Luca.
The male suspect is described as a man in his early twenties, standing at around five foot nine and weighing about 165 pounds. He was last seen wearing all black clothing and a red vest. Little information about the second suspect is available, other than that it was a woman.
Marinelli has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of Luca.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 213-972-2920. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 877-527-3247.
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