KENSINGTON (KYW Newsradio) — A family in Kensington is pleading for the safe return of their son’s emotional support dog, which was stolen from in front of their house in December.
Magdalena Olivares, a friend of the La Puerta family, said the dog, a 9-month-old Yorkie named Mahia, was important support for 4-year-old Dalex because he is non-verbal and has autism.
"He has stress issues, so the dog was kind of like a protection kind of thing," she said. "She used to go to sleep with him. And he was always playing with her and they would go everywhere with her."
Olivares said Mahia slipped out of the house in December and did not have tags on her.
A man was seen on surveillance video picking the dog up and carrying her to his car.
The family said they do not recognize the man. They're offering a $2,500 reward for her safe return.
Any tips can be directed to the Philadelphia Police Department's East Detective Division at 215-686-3243.