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Caught On Tape: Puppy Kidnapped From Local Pet Adoption Center

WOODLAND HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Pet adoption agencies work to team pets with forever homes.

But the people who run a pet adoption agency in Woodland Hills were shocked Saturday by someone stealing one of their puppies -- a Yorkie who was thrown from a car about a week ago.

The alleged theft was caught on tape.

Brittney Hopper, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, spoke to Debbie Sutz, the woman who runs the adoption program.

Sutz says, "For years a pet adoption has been going on here but this is the first time someone has stolen a dog."

Surveillance video shows a woman inside a caged area taking off with one of the dogs while a male accomplice is on the lookout. Sutz says, "You hear about a lot of horrible things that goes on in the world but a dog? To come in and steal a dog in a public place is just shocking."

The theft happened when a volunteer went to use the restroom and Sutz went to get more dogs from her car.

Sutz and Whitney Ellis -- who owns an ice skating rink in Woodland Hills --  have pet adoptions here once a week.

Ellis says, "Yorkies are known to be an expensive dog so they're more sought after."

The couple came by earlier in the day, says Ellis. They returned around 5:30 p.m. and within minutes the dog was gone.

Pet adoptions here usually cost around $300 dollars -- or they ask for a donation. The money helps to rescue other dogs and pay vet bills.

Sutz and Ellis told Hopper all they're asking for is the dog to be returned.

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