A family whose dog was stolen in January has now turned to Facebook to try and find their pet.
Kristie McClendon told 41 Action News that her family's home on East 76th Street was broken into in early January when the family was out at an event.
When they returned home, the family realized someone had stolen a PlayStation 4, hover board, and a pair of Air Jordan sneakers.
"As we're looking around the house to see what's gone, I remember that our dog didn't yelp. He didn't bark to say hi," she explained. "He was almost four months old, so he was just a baby himself and getting to know everybody."
McClendon said the dog was named "Mac Diesel" for his size, and he was given to her 2-year-old granddaughter as a surprise gift.
Weeks later, the family remains heartbroken over the crime.
"The dog was a family member," she said. "Those other things were objects, but this was a baby's dog."
The pet's cage still sits empty in the family's living room with some toys inside.
McClendon said the crime was particularly tough to talk about with her young granddaughter.
"A couple weeks afterward, she's like, 'Doggy outside?'" McClendon explained. "We're like, 'Yeah, doggy is outside.' How do you tell a 2-year-old their dog is gone?"
Over the past few weeks, McClendon has spent time and energy looking for the dog while reaching out to various groups and people.
"I've gone to the shelter at least three times," she said. "I've gone to Wayside Waifs. I've made phone calls to shelters as far as St. Joseph."
With her efforts proving unsuccessful, McClendon once again turned to Facebook this week to ask for help.
A message, featuring two pictures of the dog, was posted on Thursday to her personal page as well as the Stolen KC Facebook group.
McClendon hopes users of the social media site can bring the dog home.
"Word of mouth and some pictures being spread around could help find the puppy," she said.
Despite some dangers of using Facebook in today's world, Major Kelli Bailiff of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office said the social media site could play a pivotal role in McClendon's case.
"It's a good tool," she explained. "It almost replaces going around and handing out the posters or nailing them on the sides of the building."
Bailiff said McClendon's case in particular could see lots of support.
"I think she'll get a response quicker," she said. "People always love stories and always like trying to find a child or a puppy."
Weeks after losing the family dog, McClendon said she's remaining optimistic that "Mac Diesel" will return home.
"I'm not giving up hope," she said. "I hope that we can get him back."
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
