A Dorchester family is turning to the public for help finding their missing dog Chico after they say he was found wandering along a busy road and never came back.
Maya McRae says Chico ran away from home and was found wandering around in traffic along Blue Hills Avenue on the afternoon of Sept. 6.
"I feel like I lost my own child because he’s always there," said McRae. "He was in the middle of traffic and a couple of good people put him on the side of the sidewalk where the bus stop is."
Maya's grandmother, Marla Adams, says surveillance video shows a man allegedly took Chico from a resident in the area and then took off.
"He told her he has a couple of dogs at home and he will keep him," said Adams.
McRae and Adams told Boston 25 News the man is believed to be African-American and in his 50s, and was seen driving a white or silver sedan. They said he never reported Chico missing nor did he turn in the animal to a shelter.
"It's illegal to keep a dog that you find, you have to report it," said Mary Lou Stock, of Missing Dogs Massachusetts.
Stock is working with McRae and Adams to find Chico. She says another dog has been reported missing in the same area, but it's unclear if the incidents are connected.
"We hope he’s okay, some people think 'if they’re not going to take care of them, I will,' " said Stock. "The other things we have to worry about are dog fighting rings."
A Boston Police detective has been assigned to the case. Anyone with information on Chico is asked to contact Boston Police.
"We miss our dog," said Adams. "We want him back. He’s not a dog, he’s a baby. He’s our family member."