Dognapper Have A Heart, Return D-Rock

The search continues for a heartless dognapper who swiped "D-Rock", the Chihuahua from the front yard of his Corona home on December 8.

Pamela Muthveren, 48, told the Gazette the pup is the beloved pet of her son, Sergeant Joseph Muthveren, who returned home on October 31 from a second, 15-month tour of duty in Iraq. "D-Rock is my son's most prized possession", Muthveren said. "He truly loves that dog."

Muthveren said D-Rock was playing, unleashed, in the yard of the family home at 49-13 108th St. on the morning of December 8, when he was suddenly gone. Muthveren said a worker at a laundromat across the street from her home said she saw someone reach into the yard and pick up D-Rock that morning. "We have been looking for him since the second we realized he was gone."

The family has posted notices and photos of the Chihuahua all over the neighborhood, hoping someone will come forward with information.

Muthveren said her son and his wife are currently living at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in housing that prohibits pets. So D-Rock and his partner, a dachshund-lab mix named "Buns" have been houseguests at the family home in Corona. "He wanted so much to have the dogs with him, but it's just impossible right now. So he left him with us until the situation changes."

Muthveren said the couple planned to settle down in Charlotte, North Carolina in a few months after her son is discharged from the Army. "We have been praying for a Christmas miracle. We pray that someone will come forward to help us get D-Rock back."

Anyone with information on the missing pup is urged to call the D-Rock Hotline at 718-592-5761.

- Liz Goff