Minivan Stolen In Studio City With Family Dog Inside

A local family is asking for the public's help to find their dog after their minivan was stolen with the pet inside.

Nayo Mateo told ABC7 that they left their golden Labrador retriever, 10-year-old Maru, in the family's minivan for "a minute" with the air conditioning running. He went in to a store to pick up his wife and 2-year-old daughter from inside a store and when they came out, the car and the dog were gone.

The theft occurred Saturday near Whitsett Avenue and Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

The family says Maru is a sweet, quiet dog and the thief probably didn't even know she was in the back of the vehicle.

"If somebody has her, just give her some food, just treat her right. She's not a bad dog," Mateo told ABC7. He said his daughter keeps asking about Maru. The family says they don't care about the van, they just want their dog back.

"I miss her so bad," said his wife. "I really want her back. Nobody know[s] how much I love my dog."

Their vehicle is a dark blue Honda Odyssey minivan with California license plate 6FLL546.

Maru has tags and is microchipped.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.