Harlem Is On The Case Of The Mysterious Missing Dog

HARLEM, NY — Jillian Solomon, along with around a dozen other people, gathered in Harlem near Morningside Park on Wednesday night to hand out fliers in frigid temperatures and spread the word about her missing Chihuahua Berkeley.

Solomon was joined by her friends from Columbia Business school, friends from other walks of life, and people who had never met her, but were also dog owners in the area and had heard her story.

"I just want my dog back," Solomon told Patch. "I just want people to know what happened, and for Berkeley to be brought back."

Solomon, 27, has been searching for her beloved Chihuahua since Thursday, when she received a text from her dog walker saying the pup had run away.

Berkeley had been enjoying an extended visit with his longtime dog walker Crystal — whose last name Patch is not publishing as we were unable to reach her for comment. She has not responded to Solomon or Patch since she sent the text on Thursday.

The group Wednesday evening talked to people between West 114th and 116th street and Manhattan Avenue, knowing that it was an area that the dog walker frequented.

They passed out pocket-size posters, hung up signs, and asked people to spread the word to be on the lookout for Berkeley.

Patch saw the group stop at least 30 people to ask if they had seen Berkeley, but nobody had. Many people sent their apologies, though, and mentioned they were also dog owners and would keep their eyes out.

"I think the situation is egregious," Lacie Pierre, Solomon's friend from Columbia University told Patch as she helped flag down people on the street. "Jillian's nothing but a sweet, honest, and sincere person, so I think it's really disheartening, and a really evil thing to do, to steal somebody's dog and show no remorse."

The NYPD confirmed to Patch a petit larceny report was filed by a 27-year-old seeking the return of her dog and noted the investigation remains ongoing.

It wasn't just people that knew Solomon personally who showed up Wednesday night.

"Basically, my dog looks exactly like Berkeley, and it's just heartbreaking," a supporter of Solomon who didn't give her name told Patch. "I can't believe this can happen, and she's been so strong, if I were her, I would be tearing down doors."

As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, Solomon had still not heard from Crystal the dog walker or been reunited with Berkeley.

"It's just really messed up to know that someone could think to do this with no consequences," Solomon's friend Kimberly said. "And instead, just send one message saying, 'I lost a dog you really care about,' and not follow up."