The Birdhouse Doghouse Rescue Foundation has put out a call to the public for their help in locating a woman the say stole a puppy from its mother as it was nursing on April 24th. Johnny Gearhart, the founder of the animal rescue mission located in the Valley, says a woman walked through an employees-only door last month and snatched the Yorkie puppy as it nursed.
The woman was pretending to look at the rescues that were up for adoption when she made her move. The volunteer on duty at the time attempted to stop her, but Gearhart says the suspect knocked her to the ground. The volunteer managed to snap a photo of the suspect with her cell phone just moments before the woman snatched the phone out of her hand and slammed it on the floor, breaking it. The suspect knocked the volunteer down again, and took off with the puppy.
Gearhart says the woman had a nose piercing and a tattoo of the Puerto Rican Flag on her left shoulder. Police are asking if you recognize the woman in the photo to please call the LAPD North Hollywood station at (818) 754-8419. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
For more information about the Birdhouse Doghouse Rescue Founder, you can visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/operationlovemarylea/.