An every dog owner’s nightmare became reality for Ali Zacharias on January 18, 2024, while eating a late lunch just outside Whole Foods in DTLA on the patio near 8th and Grand. Her dog was stolen from her.
Sadie Slater, a 21-year-old woman, who has been on LAPD’s radar for criminal activities in the past, was arrested a couple of weeks after she took ownership of the leash that belonged to one year old Onyx, a merle-coated French Bulldog.
When Onyx’s human saw her puppy being taken to a white 4-door sedan around 3:45 pm, Ali was prepared to fight with her life for the dog, she says, she loves and misses with all her heart. In an attempt to stop them from escaping, she tried to block the white Kia with her body.
No concern was shown by the dog nappers, including the driver, as they continued to move, which eventually catapulted Ali onto the hood. Bystanders filmed the spectacle yet, no one stepped up to keep little Onyx safe with his owner.
The fact a high bail of $70,000 was issued for Slater, and that Ali was lucky and got away with only a few minor abrasions after she was thrown off the car and onto the ground on Grand Ave, is only little consoling to the woman who calls Onyx her baby.
“I’ve been raising him since he was just a tiny puppy.” Ali also expressed in an interview with Fox News, “I’m happy the female robber was caught and behind bars, but I care more about getting my dog back than what happens to Sadie Slater.”
Unfortunately as of now, the LAPD confirmed, that no other arrests have been made and Onyx, the pup with the different colored eyes, who rolls over on his side when joyed, has not been found.
The rise of dognapping occurring around the country, one of the famous cases being Lady Gaga’s 2 Bulldogs who got kidnapped in February of 2021 while out with their dog walker, raises the question of what we can do as a society to prevent these horrible acts.
Lady Gaga’s dogs have been recovered and returned to the Superstar. We can only hope that little Onyx will be just as lucky.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Central Area Robbery Detective Mazzacano, or Detective Stanziale, at (213) 996-1877. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
