PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A companion dog for a disabled North Philadelphia man was stolen outside a corner store this week and his family is asking for the pooch’s safe return.
Diane Newman's 47-year-old Jamal has cerebral palsy, which severely limits his speech and mobility. She said Jamal's little dog Kodi, a 3-year-old tan shih tzu mix, is more than a pet — he’s Jamal’s best friend.
“Sometimes he'll go to sleep in the bed with Jamal,” Newman said. “Jamal has a recliner in his room; he will go sit with Jamal. That's Jamal's companion. That's Jamal's everything. He loves Kodi.”
On Sunday, a family member took Kodi for a walk and tied Kodi to a pole outside a store at Berks and Van Pelt streets. While the family member was inside the store, someone took the dog.
Diane Newman
Newman said she is doing everything she can to find the dog, who is microchipped.
“I went to all the animal shelters,” she said. “Facebook, Instagram. I went and put posters all over the neighborhood. Made phone calls. I went street to street, asking anybody if they saw my son's dog.”
She also filed a police report.
Jamal is aware of what’s happening and sad over his missing dog,” Newman said, “but I'm keeping him away from social media.”
Anyone who has seen Kodi or has information on his whereabouts can call 215-776-9297.
