In North Hollywood on Tuesday, December 10, at around 7:43 p.m. local time, a masked woman made a shocking and heart-wrenching move. She snatched a beloved French bulldog named Domino from his yard. The incident was captured on owner Jason Bitonio's Ring camera. When Bitonio first realized what had happened, he thought the gate might have been open and Domino had wandered out. But upon seeing the footage, he was horrified to discover that someone had actually trespassed on their property and taken the 12-year-old dog.

Explaining the Crime to a Young Child

Bitonio shared with local news outlet ABC 7 that the most difficult part of this ordeal has been trying to explain the crime to his 5-year-old son. This child had never known a life without Domino. Bitonio said, "I just told him, 'You know, Domino's gone. Some bad people came and they took him, and we may never see him again.' " Tears welled up as his son asked, "What do you mean he's gone? What do you mean he's not coming back?" It's a heartbreaking situation for the family.

The Importance of Special Medication

Bitonio emphasized that Domino requires special medication. It's the holidays, and their dog is 12 years old, which is quite remarkable for a French bulldog. He fears that this might have been Domino's last Christmas. The thought of losing their furry companion during this special time is unbearable.

Noticing a Suspect in Advance

In an additional statement to NBC Los Angeles, Bitonio revealed that he noticed a woman seemingly staking out his home just 20 minutes before Domino was stolen. This adds another layer of mystery and concern to the case. He continues to hold out hope of recovering Domino and has shared details about the dog's appearance. "I want to find Domino. And I don't want this to happen to anyone else," he said. Domino is all white with a black mask that is a little lopsided, black ears, and one distinct tear-shaped black mark on his left side.French bulldogs are currently the most popular breed in America, and Frenchie puppies can sell for high prices. Unfortunately, this has put them at a heightened risk of theft in recent years, as reported by The New York Times. The family is now in a race against time to bring Domino back home and ensure his well-being.