A video captured a distressing incident in downtown Los Angeles as a woman desperately clung to the hood of a speeding car, the result of thieves making off with her French bulldog. Ali Zacharias had been enjoying lunch with her pup, Onyx, at the Whole Foods on Grand Avenue and 8th Street around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 when a stranger began calling for the dog.
Onyx, seated at her feet beneath a table, was then grabbed by the leash, and the woman started to walk away. Initially thinking it was a misunderstanding, Zacharias tried to reclaim her dog, but the woman ignored her and swiftly got into a waiting getaway car.
Attempting to enter the car, Zacharias found it occupied by four others who pushed her out and locked the doors. In a dramatic turn of events, footage showed Zacharias on the hood of the car as it sped away with her dog. Desperate and panicked, she attempted to get help but received no assistance.
Woman Holds On to Getaway Vehicle Following Theft of French Bulldog in Los Angeles (Credits: KTLA)
With the car accelerating, Zacharias found herself on the hood, fearing for her life. Witness Harrison Pessy, who recorded the ordeal, described the horrifying scene of the white vehicle speeding down the street with Zacharias clinging to the hood.
Despite her cries for help, no one intervened. The suspects drove several blocks with Zacharias on the hood before a sharp turn threw her to the ground. Reporting the incident to LAPD, Zacharias provided details of the vehicle—a newer white Kia Forte sedan with a missing hubcap on the driver’s front side. The police have been canvassing the area for surveillance footage related to the robbery and getaway.
Meanwhile, Onyx, a black Merle French bulldog with a distinctive spotted coat and different colored eyes, remains missing. Zacharias, deeply distraught, emphasized the emotional impact of losing her beloved pet, referring to him as her child.
She has announced a substantial reward for Onyx’s safe return. French bulldog puppies, known for their popularity, often command prices exceeding $1,000.
Expressing the devastation of such an act, witness Pessy remarked on the gravity of stealing someone’s animal. Zacharias is hopeful for the safe return of Onyx and continues to appeal for any information that could lead to finding her cherished pet.
