PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Port Orange police are searching for a man who they say stole a dog that was secured outside a restaurant while her owner was inside dining.
The Ohio family stopped to eat lunch at Culver's Restaurant Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and said they didn't want to leave their dog, Hannah, in the hot car.
"We found a thin strip of shade right outside of the front door across the parking lot and we tied her up there," said Selena Hunt, owner of the dog.
Police said the brown and white sheltie-Pomeranian mix was secured outside the restaurant while the family went inside.
"My husband was bringing out some scraps and some water for her and instead of finding her, he found the top part handle of her leash," said Hunt.
Port Orange police said a man seen in surveillance video is responsible. Video showed him go inside the restaurant, get water and go back outside by the dog. He then returns to the restaurant, takes a lap around inside and leaves again.
Video also shows the man run over to the dog, where police said he then cut the leash and jumpedinto a white SUV before taking off.
"We're traveling down to Port St. Lucie, stopped for lunch and lost a member of the family," the family told dispatchers in a 911 call.
The family hopes surveillance video and pictures will help bring her back.
"She is very loved and we really want her home," said Hunt.
Culver's Restaurant is offering a $500 reward for the dog's safe return. Contact Port Orange police at 386-506-5886 or CarlL@port-orange.org if you have any information on the whereabouts of the dog.