Neighbors of an ill man in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood are asking for the public’s help in finding his small dog that was stolen out of a car near Davies Medical Center last week.
Lola, a 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, was stolen around 3 p.m. on Nov. 19 from Robert Runkle, who had parked on 14th Street between Castro and Noe streets to go in for a brief medical appointment.
The thief broke the passenger side window of Runkle’s car and took the dog while leaving behind its collar and tags, according to his next-door neighbor, Tracy Moon, who is spearheading the effort to find Lola.
The dog has been Runkle’s “best friend and constant companion” and was registered with the city as a service animal to provide companionship to him, Moon said.
“He’s devastated,” she said. “With the kinds of things he’s had to deal with … he’s not been able to sleep for a week.”
Moon and other neighbors have posted flyers around the city asking for information about Lola’s whereabouts but have come up empty thus far.
Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Andraychak said investigators are also seeking surveillance footage or other leads from businesses and residents in the area that may shed light on who stole the dog, but have no suspect information yet.
Moon is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to Lola’s safe return, which she said is well above what the dog would fetch in a black market purchase.
“Just say you found it at a park and bring it” to San Francisco Animal Care and Control, she said. “I’d be thrilled if I’m lucky enough to give this money.”
The dog, which has blonde and gray hair and weighs about 10 pounds, has also been listed on www.petamberalert.com in an effort to find her.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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