Extra Special Pets & Animals
Sep 25, 2009 6:49 pm US/Central
Woman Cited For Kicking Guide Dog At Target
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Lolly Lijewski and her dog Brook had just gone into the store when a woman kicked the working dog. A stranger passing by stepped in to help.
CBS
A Minneapolis woman is still trying to come to grips with what happened to her guide dog Thursday night at the downtown Target store.
Lolly Lijewski and her dog Brook had just gone into the store when a woman kicked the working dog. A stranger passing by stepped in to help.
"As I was coming into the foyer of the store, my dog's feet seemed to go out from under her," said Lijewski.
Lijewski didn't know what happened to her service dog.
"Then there was a young girl to our left who said, 'Someone just kicked your dog,'" said Lijewski.
The woman then helped her track down a Target manager who scanned surveillance tape for the incident. It shows a woman swinging her leg toward the dog.
"If someone injures my dog they injure me. Our dogs keep us safe out in the world. They're trusting, they're sweet," said Lijewsjki.
Store security called police immediately.
"They went back and looked on the video and saw who this person was. Obviously she's somewhat familiar to some of the people down there. We were able to catch her outside and issue a misdemeanor citation for cruelty to animals," said Minneapolis Police Sergeant Jesse Garcia.
"It was stunning that someone would take such action and with clear malice," said Lijewski.
As disturbing as the situation was, Lijewski has high praise for the Target staff.
"This Target staff acted immediately, swiftly and they definitely took it seriously," she said.
And the good samaritan who came to her aid.
"I wouldn't have known if this girl hadn't come forward. I'm so grateful to her for coming forward and telling me what she saw," said Lijewski.
Lijewski never knew who the young woman was who helped her and she wants so much to find her and thank her again.
As for her dog, she's taking her to the vet next week but it appears she's fine.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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