Family believes woman stole their dog after rescue in Queens
- The Rai family’s dog Blaze escaped and was found by a teenager.
- Upon trying to retrieve Blaze, they learned he was given to a woman who posed as his owner.
- The family is devastated and requests the safe return of their beloved pet.
In Queens Village, New York, Leon and Nikita Rai are facing a heartbreaking ordeal after their 17-month-old Golden Doodle, Blaze, went missing from their yard. The incident occurred last Thursday when the driveway gate accidentally swung open, allowing Blaze to wander out. Surveillance footage captured the dog's movements, leading to a frantic search by the Rai family who were desperate to locate their beloved pet. They finally received some hope when a teenager discovered Blaze and posted on a doorbell app looking for its owner. However, upon arriving to retrieve their dog, the Rai family was devastated to learn that Blaze had been handed over to a stranger—a woman who they believe tricked the teenager. Nikita Rai said that when they reached the location, the teenager explained that someone else had claimed the dog, and within moments, their reunion turned into a nightmare. Despite the Rai family’s distressing experience of losing Blaze, the family remains hopeful for his safe return. Meanwhile, a situation unfolding on Long Island adds to the sadness of lost pets in the area. The Megira family is heartbroken after their French bulldog, Zeus, was seemingly stolen from their front lawn. On a Sunday afternoon, Zeus escaped through a back door, and within minutes, surveillance footage showed a man luring and then abducting him. The family has been vigorously searching for Zeus, calling local animal shelters and posting on social media, but to no avail. Both families are taking action by reaching out to their communities and law enforcement for help in bringing their dogs home. They emphasize the emotional toll that such incidents take on families, underscoring the breach of trust when a pet is taken from its own home. The Rai and Megira family scenarios are unfortunately an indication of a larger trend where specific breeds are targeted by thieves, raising public awareness about pet safety and the importance of microchipping pets to avoid similar situations in the future.