A tragic incident in Santa Monica has left a local couple grieving and community members calling for justice. According to KTLA, Alyssa Kluge and Christopher Dietrick suffered the loss of their 4-pound toy poodle named Dublin, after the pet was fatally attacked by a large pit bull on Friday. The attack occurred during an evening walk around 5:30 p.m. near Main Street and Strand.
Lamenting over the loss of their pet, Dublin's owners have spearheaded a campaign to locate the owner of the pit bull. According to a Santa Monica Daily Press report, the scene unfolded as Kluge and Dietrick passed a man and his dog outside the Samosa House. Following the attack, witnesses recounted the assailant fleeing with money on the ground, dropping it, which had been scattered in the turmoil.
The suspect, described as having dark hair and an English accent, was seen fleeing the area with his dog and was later captured on surveillance footage. "This man is a coward who fled. Not only killed my baby, but fled," Kluge told KTLA. The owner's hurried departure from the scene has left the couple and witnesses with more questions than answers.
The Santa Monica Police Department has also issued a call for help via their Facebook page, urging the public to help identify the owner of the gray and white pit bull involved in the incident. In a video provided on the department's official Facebook page, they shared surveillance footage of the individual and the dog, hoping it might lead to an identification. The SMPD stressed the importance of locating the individual, sandwiched between assurances of public safety and animal welfare concerns.
Any individuals with knowledge of the attack or the suspect's identity are encouraged to assist in the ongoing investigation. For those able to provide relevant information, they may contact Alyssa Kluge at the number provided in the Santa Monica Daily Press report or get in touch with the Santa Monica Animal Control referenced in the SMPD's post.
