The Covina community is rallying around homeowner Monica Lopez, 76, after her home was burglarized on Thanksgiving Day, resulting in the tragic death of her pet dog Rocky, as NBC Los Angeles reports. Lopez had left Rocky in the backyard while celebrating the holiday at her daughter's house, only to return and discover her back gate open and her bedroom ransacked, with an estimated $2,000 and sentimental jewelry taken, including her wedding ring from a 57-year marriage to her late husband Arturo.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Lopez's son suggested that Rocky, an American Boxer, likely confronted the burglars and was found several blocks away with head trauma; despite efforts by a veterinarian, Rocky did not survive, and the empty food and water bowls now serve as a stark reminder of the faithful pet that also served as a protective presence since Lopez's husband passed, her son expressed the dog had always been at the center of their home and now that absence was deeply felt by all, especially Monica.
Lopez leans on her faith and the love of her family, including five children and 15 grandchildren, during this trying time. Neighbors say they witnessed Rocky chasing suspects, suggesting he played a part in scaring off the burglars and potentially preventing further theft from the home, as Lopez's son, who chose to remain anonymous, told NBC Los Angeles.
In the aftermath of the incident, Lopez filed a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and detectives indicated they would return for further investigation, however, the response from law enforcement was delayed by the holiday weekend with the promise that they would resume work on the following Monday, during this time the family turned to the community for support creating a GoFundMe page to raise funds, hoping to cover the stolen cash, repairs for the damage to Lopez's home, and to help with future security enhancements, as noted by CBS Los Angeles.
