A family is pleading for the safe return of their beloved Yorkshire Terrier after it was taken early Saturday morning outside their home in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. The 3-year-old dog has a special meaning following the tragic loss of their mother.

Lakeshia Lockhart says her 14-year-old niece stepped outside their Strawberry Mansion home along the 3200 block of West Norris Street to walk their black Yorkie when a man with a large dog suddenly approached.

Lockhart said their Yorkie wasn't on a leash when her niece ran inside to get her help, leaving the dog, who was gone by the time they both made their way back out front.

"She got frightened and ran to come get me," Lockhart said. "But by the time I came back out, it was already too late. He was already gone down

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