Seattle dog snatching leaves local woman heartbroken, prompts warnings for pet owners

SEATTLE — A woman's dog was snatched from her arms as she was walking down a Seattle sidewalk Saturday.

Danita Holder said it happened around 4 p.m. right on the sidewalk at the corner of Broadway and Republican, on Capitol Hill near the QFC grocery store.

Holder said a man approached and within seconds took her dog, and took off. Her dog was not only in her arms but leashed too.

Holder said it's disturbing and heartless on so many levels, but what makes it worse is that her red chihuahua is “the only family” she has.

“Pepe and I are all each other has and I can't get over the look in Pepe's eyes when the dude was running and Pepe was looking back at me in total fear,” said Holder Monday back at the scene of the crime Broadway and Republican.” It's my best friend, loyal, loves me…she is all I have…it's like kidnapping.”

Holder told KOMO News she fled from Texas two years ago to escape an abusive relationship and has been living on the streets of Seattle ever since. “Pepe would hold me and warm my hands, I have grand mal seizures & epilepsy, Pepe keeps me warm, I keep Pepe alive,” she said.

She said she landed in the hospital last September and that another patient gave her Pepe to help her get through.

Pepe was wearing a reflective silver coat when she was snatched, with a yellow sweater underneath with black polka dots. Holder describes her as a long-haired chihuahua with a red coat and black streaks and pointed ears.

One witness was so incensed by what she saw Saturday that she took to social media to warn other dog owners.

She was walking behind Danita when it happened.

“Before I knew it she was screaming, “he stole my dog, he stole my dog, he stole my dog,” she was crying and screaming and she ran toward the QFC to go after him,” said the witness.

Seattle police confirmed the incident but said they have no additional details at this time. When asked if there have been other cases of recent dog snatches, a spokesperson said they were unaware of any other cases.

“It was so horrible so horrible seeing a little dog is scooped up and walking away it was just it's horrible to see that to see that seen you know it's carved it's carved in my brain forever and I hope I never ever ever will see something like that,” said the witness who asked not to be identified. She called 9-1-1 to report and said hours later she heard back from an officer to give more details.

Both Danita and the witness told KOMO News they want other dog owners to be on guard and aware, especially on Capitol Hill where the incident happened.

Danita said she ran into the nearby QFC seconds later for help. She and witnesses said two employees tried to chase after the man but he cut into traffic, crossed Broadway, and vanished.