Dog Kidnappings Reported in Los Gatos

Residents who live in the Los Gatos Boulevard and Terreno de Flores Lane neighborhood are reporting that their dogs are being kidnapped by strangers who snatch them up in a matter of minutes disappearing leaving them shocked by the loss of their loved pets.

K. Harmer, who rents a house on Los Gatos Boulevard, claims to be the latest victim, with her beloved brown Yorkie Yorkshire terrier canine being taken Wednesday from her backyard at about 11 a.m.

"I was in the shower and my kids were playing in the backyard and I heard the dog barking. My daughter came in and said, 'Simon is gone.' "

She said she immediately ran out of the house, screaming, to look for the 13-year-old dog. When her husband, John, returned home from work they continued searching for the animal without any luck.

Speaking to neighbors, the Harmers learned another resident had reported her Chihuahua taken from her front yard last Friday even while the owner was present and calling to it.

Harmer said her 5-year-old daughter this morning told her that a man had approached the backyard Wednesday morning, had jumped over the four-foot fence, grabbed the dog and then jumped over the fence again.

"It had to happen in a matter of 10 minutes ... It was quick," she said, adding that the residents are also worried about illegal activity going on in the neighborhood.

Another resident behind the Terreno de Flores Lane courtyard reported that her dog had also been kidnapped, according to Harmer.

The mother of two young children said the woman, who had a Russian accent, came to her house this past weekend asking if she had seen the animal when she heard Simon and companion dog Thurston, a 10-year-old-plus Corgi Terrier mixed-breed, barking.

"My dog, my dog, somebody took my dog ... do you have my dog?" Harmer quoted the woman yelling. "She started crying and said it was a beautiful dog."

That brings the total of dogs reported missing to three in a matter of one week, Harmer said.

Harmer said she's devastated that despite moving into the neighborhood in late March, she's also been a victim of a burglary when her back door was opened and the burglar used her facilities and even watched TV, she said. 

The couple has placed an ad on the online bulletin board Craigslist hoping the dog will be returned. They've also put up fliers around the neighborhood about the missing dog, which has very few teeth left and can't eat solid dog food due to its age.

She also said the dog's eyesight is bad and it's neutered so it can't be used for breeding. "I cant make any money for you. Please just return me, I am desperately loved by my family and needed!" the Craigslist ad says.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Simon, please call the Harmers at 773-983-2266 or 408-723-7132, or respond to the post on Craigslist.