French Bulldog stolen in brutal attack on owner near Sunset Boulevard and Doheny Drive in West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) – A man’s French bulldog was stolen when he was brutally attacked in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

Robert Marinelli has just been released from the hospital and begs the thieves to return Luca.

“I’m just completely clueless,” Marinelli said. “Someone just tore my heart out.”

On Tuesday, Marinelli was walking Luca around 7:30 a.m. near Sunset Boulevard and Doheny Drive.

He spotted a black sedan waiting in the street. As a man jumped up and walked towards him, Marinelli tried to pick up Luca and run. But the suspect threw him to the ground and took Luca away.

Marinelli’s clothes got stuck in the car and he was dragged 200 feet.

“He pushed me down and slammed the door,” he said. “And slamming the door must have grabbed part of me or my coat in it. They ran away and dragged me with them almost 200 feet down a gravel road.”

8-year-old Luca has medical problems and dietary restrictions and is missing a toe from cancer.

“He’s not really the kind of dog that’s going to make a lot of money at this point,” he said.

Marinelli pleads with the public to help him return his dog and offers a reward of $ 10,000.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation.

There has been a wave of thefts of French Bulldogs in the area, a breed that can be sold at a high price.

Earlier this year, several French Bulldogs belonging to Lady Gaga were stolen when her dog walker was shot. Five people were then arrested.

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Last week, three men held a woman at gunpoint in Hollywood and left with her dog, police said.
This incident happened at around 7 p.m. on Detroit Street between Fountain and De Longpre avenues. Police said three men got out of a sedan and held the 58-year-old mother at gunpoint.

READ MORE | French bulldog stolen after mother held at gunpoint by 3 men in Hollywood

The woman let go of the leash and the dog ran across the street before being captured by one of the suspects. As of Tuesday evening, her dog is still missing and the three men are still at large.

Anyone with information on these incidents is invited to contact the authorities.

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