Famed Purple-Cheetah Print Dog Stolen From Owner Near Venice Beach

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — A canine celebrity was snatched from her owner Sunday night at Venice Beach.

According to witnesses, Michelle Herrera was leaving Venice Beach around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, when she was approached by a man in an alley in the area of Washington Avenue at Pacific.

The man asked Herrera if he could hold Chanel — a purple-cheetah print dog that is very well known in Los Angeles and across the U.S. — and take a photo with her.

Without hesitation, Herrera willingly let the man hold Chanel to take a photo; however, when she turned her back to ask a friend to wait for her, she said, the man took off with the dog.

Witnesses described the suspect as a Latino man, 30-35, who stands 5-foot-8, has a medium build and a tattoo on a shoulder.

Herrera pleaded for Chanel's return Wednesday.

"If you can please take her home, she is truly missed," Herrera said. "She is my life; she is everything."

"She is a different looking dog, so if we get this message out there quick, I'm hoping that someone will spot her," Herrera told KCAL9's Kaj Goldberg.

The dog is best known her unique fur color and very small size, and has traveled across the country with a television crew for a French TV segment featuring Hollywood dogs.

"She is not an ordinary dog," Herrera said. "She is flashy. I don't know if he wanted to take her home for a daughter or resell her."

A $1,000 reward is being offered for Chanel's safe return. Any who knows about Chanel's whereabouts is urged to contact Sara at 520-444-3135.