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Woman's Beloved Bulldog Dies After Brutal Dognapping Attempt

FAIRFAX DISTRICT (CBSLA.com) — A woman's beloved pet died after a brutal dognapping attempt last month in the Fairfax District.

Amber Irish said her boyfriend, Eric McCormick, was walking Blue, her Staffordshire British Bulldog, around 5 a.m. in an alley near Wilshire Drive and Fairfax Avenue.

McCormick said that's when two men in a truck pulled up alongside him. He said the passenger asked to bum a cigarette.

Moments later, however, the man got out of his vehicle and tried to take the dog, said McCormick.

"He had the leash in his hand, as well, and when he pulled me down, Blue bit him in the leg, so he actually fell down, and I fell down on top of him," he said.

McCormick and the passenger fought. The man then threw Blue in the truck, but the bulldog jumped out before he closed the door.

The truck sped off with part of Blue's leash stuck inside. The animal was dragged along the pavement for a block and a half.

"The worst part of the leash, where it overlapped on him, never fully healed," said Irish.

McCormick suffered two fractured ribs in the attack, and a week and a half later, Blue passed away.

The couple, who plans to spread Blue's ashes at Belmont Shore, told CBS2's Melanie Woodrow that they're worried the person responsible for the dog's death could strike again.

McCormick said he only got a partial license plate and a vague description of the suspects.

"In the bed of the pickup truck, there were two metal, what looked to be dog cages, welded in the back of the truck," he said.

Authorities are investigating the crime as an isolated incident.

They initially took a battery report for McCormick's injuries, but since Blue later died, a second animal cruelty reported has been filed.

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