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MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – A South Florida woman fears her dog’s life is in danger after a crook stole her SUV outside a veterinary clinic with her pet.
Jennifer Mattei said she was concerned about the health and wellbeing of Tala, her 11-year-old mix of German Shepherd and Beagle.
“The thought of not knowing where she is is just terrifying. I am honestly shocked, “she said. “I’m just really freaking out that she’s locked in a hot car somewhere or someone threw her on the side of the road.”
Mattei said Tala was admitted Thursday around 2:30 p.m. after a routine visit to the vet on West Avenue near Ninth Street in Miami Beach.
Mattei said the thief drove off with her dog in the SUV.
“I put her in the car, turned on the car to run the air conditioning, walked in to pay. My car was stolen in 60 seconds, she said.
Mattei said the SUV was parked along the busy street when the crook drove off. Since there were no eyewitnesses and the veterinary clinic has no surveillance video of the theft, she checked her SunPass app for clues.
“About 40 minutes after the car went missing, I was able to find that the car was heading north and passing Golden Glades,” she said, “and about 20 minutes later again at sunrise [Boulevard] west, and that was the last time it was pinged. “
To make matters worse, Tala has heart disease and has to take medication every day.
“She depends on this heart drug and if she doesn’t get it, she will die,” said Mattei.
Tala’s fragile health makes Mattei even more anxious, but she said she hopes she can bring her precious pet home.
“I was hoping someone just took it for a spin around South Beach and parked the car somewhere, but it seems like there was a plan to do something with the car,” she said. “Going so far with a dog in the back seat is a little crazy. It seems like they’re on a mission and the car is farther away from me, which makes me more nervous. “
If you have any information about this theft or where Tala was, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous and potentially receive a $ 1,000 reward.
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