Reward Offered For Arrest Of Dog Thieves

WILTON MANORS (CBS4) - The owners of two dogs in Miami-Dade and Broward are pleading for the public's help after their precious pets were snatched in public by two criminals.

They are also each offering a $500 reward for their return.

"I was so upset, I yelled at him that I hope he bites your finger off," said John Fama, whose 14-month-old Maltese-Yorkie mix named Max was stolen from him about 7:15 p.m Wednesday, as they walked through his neighborhood.

"The dogs means everything to me," Fama told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "I had him in my home all day. It's really killing me that he is gone."

He said the eight-pound Morkie was his constant companion.

"He was just so cute, so playful and he was so attached to me," said Fama.

He said Morkie was taken by a man who at first said he wanted to pet him.

"I was pulled to the ground," said Fama, who was left with just Max's collar and leash. "My knee is still sore. I also scraped my elbows."

"I think one guy saw an older man who seemed vulnerable and he thought he could take advantage," said Fama. "I can't believe that with all dogs and puppies available at shelters that someone would do something like this."

On Tuesday, Melissa Vega was victimized in a similar way outside her father's Westpoint K-9 Academy in West Kendall. She was leaving with Bailey, a 13-week old male, Border Terrier mix that she had just adopted.

A man who said he wanted to take a picture of them suddenly stole Bailey.

"It just makes me sick to my stomach," said Vega. "I was in the middle of telling him that I adopted him from the Humane Society. I feel sick that this happened, just sad and horrible. Like a mother was to a child, that's how I felt. He could have gone anywhere else and found a puppy."

Vega said she grabbed on to the white Dodge truck as the puppy thief drove away.

"He peeled out and I fell on the ground, scraping my knee," said Vega. "He then smashed into another vehicle and took off. So there's a report with Miami-Dade Police about this accident as well as the theft of my puppy."

If you've seen Bailey, call the Westpoint K-9 Academy at 305-271-7070.

Fama has even taken his appeal to "Youtube." A picture of Max is shown as Fama is heard to say, "This is an appeal to all animals lovers."

"Max weighs eight pounds and he's a very friendly dog," Fama says on "Youtube." "He will stand up on his hind legs and wave at you with his front paws to try to get your attention."

Fama says if you've seen Max, call Wilton Manors Police at 954-390-2150.

"It would mean the world too me to get him back," said Fama. "I would pay a million dollars to get him back. If you see him, please bring him back. I miss him very much."