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Stolen French bulldog reunited with owners day after violent dognapping in Ladera Heights

Ladera Heights family desperately seeking return of stolen dog Bruno after violent dognapping
Ladera Heights family desperately seeking return of stolen dog Bruno after violent dognapping 02:18

A French bulldog that was stolen during a violent kidnapping in Ladera Heights early Wednesday morning has been reunited with his owners.

Bruno was taken just a block from his home during a morning walk on Wooster Avenue. 

"Just no regard for the human being," said Stefan Becker, Bruno's owner who was brutally attacked while his beloved pup was being dragged away by his leash. "No regard for the item — the dog."

Becker says that a car pulled up next to them as they walked down the street at around 5:45 a.m. Two people wearing ski masks jumped out of the car and began shouting at him to give them Bruno. 

He was punched in the mouth and kicked several times while he was down, helpless as Bruno was being forced into the stranger's vehicle. 

"I care about my dad a lot, and I care about my dog a lot," said Becker's 11-year-old daughter the day that Bruno was taken. "Now, I forgive you, but, what you've you done to my dad, it's really hard to forgive you, for what you've done to my dog."

Hours of searching had a happy ending though, as Becker was alerted midday Thursday that Bruno had been found and dropped off at a Los Angeles County animal shelter. He says that Bruno was overjoyed to see him and couldn't wait to get home. 

Authorities are still searching for the suspects, who reportedly fled from the area in a silver Toyota Camry. 

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