Chanel, a 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier known for her playful personality and affectionate nature, disappeared from the front yard of her family’s Queens home after two people allegedly took her and drove away. Her mom, Claudia Jaramillo Lopez, had stepped away for only about two minutes, never imagining that her beloved little dog would be gone when she returned.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. on September 17 in the College Point neighborhood of Queens, New York. What initially seemed like an ordinary evening with her two dogs quickly became a frightening experience for Lopez, who later learned that surveillance cameras had captured the moments leading up to Chanel’s disappearance.
A Familiar Evening Takes an Unexpected Turn
Lopez, 47, had been outside with Chanel and her other Yorkshire Terrier, Leti, near the family’s home at 130th Street and 14th Avenue. Chanel was accustomed to staying close to her family and knew her surroundings well.
According to Lopez, Chanel usually followed her wherever she went. But on this particular evening, the little dog remained in the yard while Lopez briefly walked around the corner with Leti.
During those few minutes, two people in a Subaru Forester reportedly stopped outside the property. Surveillance footage showed them attempting to coax Chanel toward their vehicle.
The little Yorkshire Terrier did not immediately approach them. Lopez later explained that Chanel was friendly and playful with people she knew, but she was not comfortable with just anyone.
When their attempts to lure Chanel failed, the individuals allegedly picked her up and carried her toward the vehicle. Even then, the dog appeared reluctant to go with them.
Chanel’s Family Discovers What Happened
When Lopez returned with Leti, she expected to find Chanel waiting nearby. Instead, the familiar little dog was nowhere to be seen.
At first, Lopez thought Chanel might be hiding in her usual spot near the parking area. She repeatedly called her name, expecting the dog to respond as she normally would.
But Chanel never appeared. As the minutes passed, Lopez became increasingly worried and continued searching around the property. Her husband eventually checked the home’s surveillance cameras. That was when the family discovered that two people had taken Chanel while Lopez was away.
The footage showed the suspects approaching the dog and carrying her away. Police later released surveillance images showing one of the individuals holding Chanel, along with pictures of the vehicle believed to have been involved.
A Beloved Little Dog With a Big Personality
For Lopez, Chanel is far more than a family pet. The 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier has spent years becoming a familiar and much-loved presence in her household and neighborhood.
Lopez described Chanel as affectionate, playful, and particularly charming around people she recognized. Neighbors and passersby often stopped to admire the little gray and tan dog.
Speaking to The New York Post, Lopez described Chanel as a happy, loving dog who enjoyed attention from familiar faces. She also remembered how obedient Chanel usually was and how confidently she moved around her home.
That familiarity made the disappearance especially difficult to understand. Lopez had trusted that Chanel would remain nearby, as she had done on previous occasions.
The family also shared that Chanel and Leti were accustomed to walking without leashes close to home, although they used leashes when visiting parks or other places. On the evening Chanel disappeared, that familiar routine changed in a way nobody expected.
Police Continue Searching for Chanel
Nearly a month after the September 17 incident, Chanel had still not been located, according to the October 16 report. The New York Police Department released images of the two suspects, the gray Subaru Forester, and Chanel in hopes that someone might recognize them.
Police estimated Chanel’s value at approximately $1,200. But for her family, the loss cannot be measured by a price tag.
Authorities have asked anyone with information about the suspects or Chanel’s whereabouts to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish-speaking callers can use 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
For Lopez and her family, the search remains deeply personal. Chanel is the little dog who knew her home, recognized familiar voices, and brought happiness to the people around her. As of the latest reported update, her family was still waiting for information that could help bring her home.
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
Toledo, United States.