Woman's dog left in care of dog-walker in East Village now missing

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A heartbroken pet owner is frantically looking for her dog after a neighborhood dog walker lost her beloved pooch.

Neighbors tell the woman the dog walker had a meltdown.

The dog's owner, Morgan Bogle, said she was in London on a business trip and left her pit bull mix in the care of the walker, who lost the four year old pup in the East Village.

She received an eerie call from a neighbor Monday morning.

"Got a call from my neighbor saying your dog walker is going insane in our building, he's banging on all the doors saying 'I can't find Sugar,'", said Bogle. "She's been my best friend for three years. I am numb and devastated and I don't know what to do to get her back."

Bogle rescued the gentle pit mix affectionately known as Sugar from an animal shelter three years ago, and now Sugar needs to be rescued again.

"Her collar, her leash and her coat were found in the dog walker's apartment so he either left without her being suited up or left her somewhere and took all of her stuff home," she said.

Sugar was last seen around 9 a.m. Monday and usually gets walked between East 26th and 3rd and 5th Avenues.

Dozens of flyers have been posted throughout the area and Morgan is also using social media and the hashtag #FindSugarNYC, hoping photos of the dog will catch the right person's eye.

"My gut is that somebody has her and either doesn't know that she's missing or has stolen her and is holding her hostage and that's why we're offering a reward," said Morgan.

A $5,000 cash reward is being offered for Sugar's safe return but Morgan says there's really no price tag for the unconditional bond she shares with her best friend.

"If there's any way anybody can help in any way, look for her, put flyers up, email or call with any leads it's greatly appreciated," she said.

Sugar is a tan brindle pit mix with a lean build weighing about 62 pounds with white markings on her forehead, chest, and paws.

She's spayed and microchipped and anyone with information should call 917-796-0171.