A Philadelphia mother is pleading for the safe return of her son’s beloved dog after surveillance video showed two people taking the Shih Tzu from outside a corner store in North Philadelphia.
Diane Newman says the dog, named Cody, is much more than a pet to her son, Jamal, who has cerebral palsy.
Newman says her son’s condition severely limits his mobility. He cannot walk and depends on her for daily care. Through it all, Cody has been his constant companion, providing comfort and friendship.
But on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, that special bond was interrupted.
Video obtained exclusively by NBC10 shows two people taking Cody from outside a corner store at West Berks and Van Pelt streets in North Philadelphia.
Newman says her boyfriend had tied Cody to a pole while he went inside the store.
Since then, she says her family has been struggling with the dog’s absence, especially Jamal, who continues to ask when his best friend will come home.
“Cody being missing is taking a toll on us. It’s taking a toll on us. Every time I go out the door, he is asking me, did you bring my dog back yet?” Newman said.
Newman says she is determined to keep fighting for her son and hopes Cody will be returned.
“I refuse to give up. I don’t care what nobody says, friends, family, whatever, I’m going to die taking care of my son because he needs me,” Newman said.
Now, she has a message for the two people seen taking Cody or anyone who might know where the dog is.
“Can you please bring my son his dog back? That’s all he has. He doesn’t have any more friends. Some people can have an option in life. My son don’t have that choice,” Newman said.
For Newman, getting Cody back means reuniting her son with a companion who has been a constant source of comfort in his life.
“Bring him his dog back. Bring him his dog back. He needs his dog… that’s all he has,” Newman said.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.
