SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Southwest Miami-Dade family has been left devastated after their mother’s emotional support dog went missing Friday.
The family dog, named Mia, provides her owner emotional support 24 hours a day and now they just want her back. “She needs her a lot because it’s making her very, very depressed,” said Yuri Fernandez, translating for her mother, Martha.
The last few days have been tough for Martha ever since her Chihuahua, Mia, escaped through a fence that was damaged by Hurricane Irma, in the area of Southwest 80th Street and 136th Avenue.
“Everybody went outside looking. Everybody started looking around. My sister started doing the flyers. We put it on Facebook. We’ve done everything, so we know it couldn’t be around the neighborhood,” said Yuri.
Martha has been a quadriplegic for almost 30 years, and Mia has been her constant companion for the last five years. “She’s such a prized dog to us, especially to my grandma,” said Jaime Fernandez. “She’s like her companion, is always there with her.”
The family said the dog has been fixed and needs medication. Both Martha and Yuri said they want Mia back where she belongs.
“Please understand that what her and Mia have is a very special connection because she cannot pet her, but Mia comes and pets her, and they pet each other,” said Yuri.
The family believes someone may have picked Mia up. Surveillance video taken on Jan. 4 was the last time Mia was seen.
Home videos of Mia licking and playing with Martha shows the love the two share.
“This is a really hard situation, more serious than what anyone can think,” said Yuri.
Jaime said he hopes someone took Mia in to keep her safe and will return her after seeing their story on 7News. “If you have Mia, I hope you bring her back because that dog is super special to her and also to my mom,” he said.
Martha’s daughters are concerned for their mother’s health as well. Martha is also diabetic and hasn’t been able to sleep out of fear for her dog.
There is a $500 reward for whoever will return Mia.
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