Thieves Beat Dog Owner, In Latest LA County Frenchie Dognapping

LOS ANGELES, CA — An early morning dog walk in Ladera Heights went south after masked thieves attacked a man and stole his 3-year-old French bulldog, he said.

Stefan Becker told KTLA5 that while on his regular walk with his family dog Bruno at around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, four masked people in hooded sweatshirts pulled up next to him in an old silver Toyota Camry, got out of the car and beat him up.

"One of them jumped out of the passenger seat and approached me while I was stumbling backward saying, ‘Give me the f****** dog.’ I had my dog on the leash and when I heard that, I immediately got hit in the face," Becker told KTLA5.

After the first impact knocked Becker to the ground, he let go of Bruno's leash, and the dog ran away, he said. While a second person jumped out of the car and started kicking Becker in the ribs, another grabbed Bruno and got back into the car before the group drove off.

Becker was left battered and bruised remembering the sounds of his beloved French bulldog screaching as the unfamiliar people picked him up and took him.

Bruno's abduction is one of many similar French bulldog thefts plaguing in Los Angeles County. In January, two suspects reportedly stole another French bulldog at gunpoint in Beverly Hills. In September, two masked people stole nine Frenchie puppies from a home in Northridge.

The family is heartbroken, Becker said, and is pleading for help to find Bruno and get him back. Becker said Bruno is microchipped and the LA County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case.

"When everything's said and done, I can forgive the people who treated me like a piece of dirt," Becker said. "Just give us back our dog."

Anyone who may have information about the incident was urged to contact the Sheriff's Information Bureau at 213-229-1700 or the Marina del Rey Station at 310-482-6000.