Service dog stolen from Riverside cancer patient

A cancer patient whose therapy dog was taken from her at a downtown Riverside apartment complex is desperate to get him back and offering a reward for the canine’s return.

“Clyde,” a 3-year-old Chihuahua-terrier mix, was snatched on the evening of August 9 in the 3400 block of Lime Street, according to Riverside police.

Detective Laurie Ellefson said the five-pound canine had been left in a common area of the apartment building and disappeared while the owner, whose identity was not released, was not present.

The woman is offering a $100 reward — no questions asked — for the dog’s safe return, Ellefson said, adding that Clyde was helping the victim through her battle with cancer.

The dog is almost all black, except for sprinkles of white on his chest and paws.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Ellefson at (951) 826-8717.