Dog stolen from woman at gunpoint on Northwest Side, police say
CHICAGO (CBS) – Police are investigating after a woman's dog was stolen at gunpoint on the city's Northwest Side Wednesday evening.
Police said around 7:44 p.m., the woman, 64, was walking her French bulldog "Peppa" in Dunham Park, in the 5800 block of West Giddings Street in the Portage Park neighborhood, when an unknown suspect approached her from behind, displayed a firearm, and demanded her dog.
A struggle ensued in which the victim was struck and fell to the ground.
The suspect took the dog and fled eastbound, police said.
The victim was taken to Community First Medical Center with minor injuries.
Friends of the victim posted about the stolen dog on the Ring Neighbors app, saying the woman also was approached last week, when a woman demanded her dog.
No arrests were made.
For regular dog walkers in the park, it was a rattling piece of news.
"It's gut wrenching because it's like somebody told me somebody would have to have a knife or a gun to try to get my dog from me," said Diane Fisher, who walks her dog in Dunham Park. "And you tried to fight your natural reaction is 'no,' right? So it's very scary. You know, I'm out here myself all the time, like I said, three, four miles a day. So I try not to go at night because of that."
The French bulldog is one of the most targeted breeds by thieves, according to the American Kennel Club.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.