PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A North Philadelphia family is searching for a missing Shih Tzu that serves as a companion animal for a man with disabilities after the dog was taken nearly a week ago.
According to his mother, 47-year-old Jamal and his dog, Cody, are rarely apart.
“They’re inseparable,” Diane Newman said.
Cody was taken from a pole near Berks and Van Pelt streets in North Philadelphia last Sunday. The incident was captured on video shortly after 6 p.m.
Newman said the footage shows a young girl approaching Cody, removing the leash from the pole and walking away with the dog.
“It would mean the world for Jamal to get his dog back as well as his family. That’s Jamal’s buddy, that’s Jamal’s companion,” Newman said.
Newman said Cody had been left at the location accidentally, possibly for at least two hours, after her elderly fiancée took the dog on a walk to a store.
“He feels terrible about this, really, really bad,” Newman said.
Jamal suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car as a child and is disabled, with limited communication and mobility. Newman said she has been putting up fliers throughout the neighborhood in an effort to find Cody.
“I really, really advocate for my son; anything he needs and wants, I’m Johnny on the spot,” Newman said.
Newman says she’s spoken with the girl seen in the video, who indicated Cody may have changed hands multiple times since then. Despite a few leads, the family does not know where the dog is now. Police are investigating and joined the search Friday.
“Cody is a family member; he’s been with me for three years and we miss him, and I know without a doubt he misses us,” Newman said.
Newman is asking anyone with information about Cody’s whereabouts to contact her through the phone number listed on flyers she has posted throughout the neighborhood. She also said she has been contacted by someone who may be willing to offer a reward for Cody’s return.
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