Vietnam Vet Seeks Help To Find Stolen Service Dog

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Vietnam veteran is asking people all over the Twin Cities to take a look at this photo.

It's a photo of Baby, a 10-year-old Shitzu-Poodle mix. The service dog was stolen a week ago near a Bloomington motel the homeless veteran often stays in.

Mike Heath says of his beloved pup, "He makes life better. He makes people happy who are near me."

But as Mike Heath showed us photos spread across the table of the Uptown Arby's he frequents, he explained the relationship isn't just friendly, it's serious, too.

"I get flashbacks and so I think the enemy is after me, he'll let me know . . .  not true," Heath said.

Baby helps him focus and calm down and soothe his PTSD. Heath doesn't have a permanent home, he often stays at this Bloomington motel.  A few weeks back, a man he was friendly with brought a woman who asked to walk Baby.

He agreed, and hasn't seen Baby since.

"She's just gotta be a mean person to take a dog, just must really be a mean person," Heath said.

Of his 10-year-old canine he says, "I just worry he's with someone who doesn't know anything about dogs or doesn't know how to treat them."

The Bloomington Police Department is trying to figure out who stole Baby. They say someone also stole money from Mike's bank card.

So he's handwriting fliers and trying to come up with a reward fund. He'll spend all he has to find his Baby. Money is extra tight, as Mike is battling a heart condition and in need of open heart surgery.

Mike kept telling us how Baby brings others joy. We saw that at Arby's, the staff there had also fallen for the little guy.

Bloomington police say it seems to be the case of a vulnerable adult, someone took advantage of. They were eager for us to share Mike's story. If Baby looks familiar, call the Bloomington Police Department at (952) 563-4900.