“Lucky” has arrived in the lives of Lila and Frank Klein. And, oh my, the little dog has had a strange few days.
Lucky is one of two dogs stolen last week from the Miami-Dade Animal Services Shelter. He was dropped off over the weekend by a woman who handed it desperately to Lila Klein, who was on the sidewalk outside her Peruvian restaurant in North Miami Beach.
“First of all, she was in a hurry,” she recounted. “And second of all, I asked for her phone number and her name and she said ‘I’ll be back.’" She never returned.
A couple seen in security camera video stealing the shaggy Shih Tzu from the shelter last Tuesday was broadcast heavily on television news. The thieves may have been worried they would be turned in, which would explain why she gave away the dog to Klein. But she didn’t realize she was, for a second time, captured on security video, this time on Klein’s camera outside her restaurant.
The Kleins had no idea the dog had been stolen, until they watched the news that night.
“And I said ‘That’s him! We have him!’” said Lila Klein, sitting at a sidewalk table outside her restaurant with Lucky on her lap.
“Yeah, I couldn’t believe it seeing that TV. And sitting there: ‘What is this? That looks very much like him. That could be the dog!’” said Frank Klein, as Lucky shifted into his lap for a while.
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They immediately contacted the shelter and took him there. But shelter administrators, seeing the dog now fully groomed and happy, said the Kleins could keep Lucky until the dognapping case is resolved.
Meantime, Lucky is rather smitten with Lila and Frank. And Lila and Frank are rather smitten with Lucky. And they would all like to stay as a family with permission from shelter administrators, of course.
“He is the king! He is the king of the house,” laughs Lila Klein. “We take him for a walk every night. And he loves people. He loves to be around people. He’s a very, very good dog.”
Police now have more video evidence to help them find the dog thieves. Four people stealing two dogs appeared to work together in the theft. The other dog still missing is a Rat Terrier that was a stray. Video shows a middle-aged woman and her daughter stole him.
If you can help, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. You can remain anonymous.
