PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 A Phoenix veteran says his small dog was stolen from his backyard earlier this month, and he\u2019s pleading for help to bring her home as she goes without vital heart medication.<\/p>\n
The dog, Tinkerbell, is a 12-pound chiweenie. Her owners say she has a severe heart condition and needs medication, making the search urgent.<\/p>\n
The family says Tinkerbell disappeared on May 7 after they let their 12-year-old dog outside. Minutes later, they say she was gone.<\/p>\n
The owners say they found her collar left behind in the yard, leading them to believe someone grabbed her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our kid missing\u2026 and I feel she was kidnapped. I really do,\u201d Kip said.<\/p>\n
Since then, the owners say they\u2019ve received multiple reports of Tinkerbell being seen with a woman they don\u2019t recognize, described as homeless, near the I-17 and State Route 51 freeways.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe she\u2019s being used for panhandling,\u201d Kip said.<\/p>\n
The family says they\u2019ve been searching day and night, posting flyers and following up on tips, but Tinkerbell remains missing.<\/p>\n
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