Toronto man speaks out after dog stolen in violent knifepoint robbery

A Toronto man who was robbed of a small dog at knifepoint at a park in Toronto’s Jane and Finch neighbourhood says he was more concerned about his friend’s pet than his own safety.

Toronto police said the incident occurred at Derrydowns Park, near Driftwood Avenue and Finch Avenue West, at around 3 p.m. Monday, when Dan Valle and his girlfriend’s sister’s Shih Tzu “Charlie” were approached by four men on bicycles while out for a walk.

“I didn’t pay any attention to it, it was in the middle of the day so I didn’t think they were going to do anything — why would they?,” he told Global News Tuesday.

“They got off their bikes when they were near me and immediately started swearing at me, calling me names and one guy was wearing a red Canada Goose vest, he was wielding a knife.”

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Valle said that’s when one of the men punched him in the face.

“I went to the ground and that’s when I felt the leash pulled out of my hand,” he said.

“It was very, very quick. They scooped her up as soon as that leash came off my hand they scooped it and they just rode off towards Finch.”

Valle said he lay on the ground calling Charlie’s name before he got up and contacted the dog’s owner, Jocelyn Castillo, and then police.

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Police said the suspects then took the man’s dog and left. Officers responded a short time later, but the suspects and the dog weren’t found.

“I came and I talked with the police and automatically I started crying,” she said, adding she had “no idea” why people would steal her dog.

“Apparently people have been doing it to other people to sell the dogs and people have found their dogs on Kijiji and it just doesn’t make sense why an innocent animal was taken from somebody.

“Why did it even happen at all to begin with? It really sucks.”

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Castillo said she’s had Charlie for more than four years and the little dog has remained by her side since day one.

“She’s never really gone anywhere without me to be honest,” she said. “When we go camping I don’t like leaving her at home.”

She added that the dog is harmless and only barks when someone comes to their door.

“She wouldn’t hurt anybody,” she said, fighting back tears. “She wouldn’t do anything.”

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Valle said he’s shaken up, but is more worried about the little dog.

“I’m OK. But honestly I was concerned about Charlie at the time. I wasn’t worried about myself,” he said.

“I could defend myself. She’s a very harmless dog. She’s not going to bite you, no matter what you do to her she’s not going to bite you. So for her to be defenceless, for somebody to do that to her, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Police said they are looking for four male suspects, all of whom were riding black mountain bikes and are believed to be between 20 and 25 years old.

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The first suspect is described as standing 6’2” with a medium build and an unshaven face. He was last seen wearing a red baseball hat and red windbreaker-style jacket. Police said he was the suspect who allegedly punched Valle.

The second suspect is described as standing 5’8” with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a navy-blue jacket.

The third suspect was carrying a knife and he was last seen wearing a black hooded sweater, red Canada Goose vest and black pants.

The fourth suspect had black hair and was last seen wearing a light-coloured sweater.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 31 Division at 416-808-3100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.