RCMP are investigating a report of an attempted dognapping in Port Coquitlam.
Around 10 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 23), Mounties were called to the incident near a shopping plaza along Shaughnessy Street between Lougheed Highway and Lions Way.
Police say a victim was assaulted by an unknown man while walking their dog.
The suspect attempted to take the dog, but then fled on foot — leaving the dog with the victim.
A social media post by a member of the victim's family said the suspect threatened to steal the dog: a Jack Russell terrier.
The victim was reportedly punched in the face as he tried to prevent the man from grabbing the animal.
"This was a family member who is in shape and quite strong, and was completely blindsided by this random attack," the post reads.
The file is still under investigation, Coquitlam RCMP confirmed with the Tri-City News.
Police are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or has dash cam or video footage, to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file-number 2023-5032.