Heartache overshadowed hope for the DiRago family from Ontario after their car was stolen in Montreal, with their cherished dog Bella still inside.
The family was visiting the city for their grandson’s hockey tournament when tragedy struck. While shopping at Fairview Point Claire mall on Saturday, their silver Toyota RAV4 was stolen from the parking lot—a location infamous for car thefts, with 156 incidents reported there this year alone.
“We weren’t going to be very long, so we knew she would be safe,” said Naomi DiRago, tearfully recounting the decision to leave Bella in the car. Despite police recovering the vehicle in Montreal’s Villeray-Saint-Michel-Park-Extension borough, Bella, a four-month-old husky/chihuahua mix, is still missing.
Bella is a small, short-haired pup weighing 4.5 kilograms and wearing a red collar. Her absence has left a void in the DiRagos’ hearts. “Our hearts were really, really sore at that time, for sure,” said Rocco DiRago.
Authorities recommend preventative measures like anti-theft devices and key protectors to deter criminals, but for now, the DiRagos are focused on reuniting with Bella.
“We’re hopeful,” Naomi said. “This is a time of hope, this time of year.”
The family is holding out for a holiday miracle and invites anyone with information about Bella to contact them at ready4itnoni@gmail.com.
