A dog who was stolen during what police said was an apparently unprovoked attack inside a North Hollywood store has been reunited with its rightful owner.
Drake, the 11-year-old pit bull/Rhodesian ridgeback mix, was happily home Thursday night with his owner, 47-year-old massage therapist Liat. The pair had been separated after the violent attack shortly after midnight Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the robbery occurred Tuesday at 12:46 a.m. inside a 7-Eleven in the 11100 block of Burbank Boulevard.
The investigation began after video posted to social media sites showed what appeared to be two people attacking a dog owner in a store aisle and leave with the dog.
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Speaking exclusively with NBC4, Liat, who wished only to go by her first name, said she and Drake had gone to the 7-Eleven to get some money, which is when they immediately began to be followed by a woman. She said the woman put her in a headlock and punched her while a man hit her in the back.
"The investigation revealed that a victim entered the business with her dog on a leash," the LAPD said. "Shortly after, two suspects entered the business and, seemingly unprovoked, attacked the victim and used bodily force to remove the dog from her possession."
Security camera video showed the attackers struggle with the victim before one attacker placed the victim in a headlock. The man then pulled the dog away and walked down the aisle as the scuffle continued on the floor.
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Liat, who said she served in the Israeli defense forces, was left with an injured hand after trying desperately to hold on to Duke's leash.
"You might need to bleep this, but, as my friend said, 'They might have beat your a--, but they didn’t hand you your a--,'" she said with a smile Thursday night.
Drake was left at a sober living facility in Orange County, where people who recognized him from social media called authorities.
The LAPD said the woman involved in the attack was in custody. The man, who wore a black and white sweater, blue jeans and white shoes during the attack, remains on the loose.
"We need to do more for the safety of our pets who are helpless. We have to make things better," Liat said.
