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'You came and took a family member;' veteran's service dog stolen

'Blu' is Darrell Shealy's best friend, a dog who he and his wife have considered a son since they picked him in last November.

Columbia, SC (WLTX) — A Columbia veteran came home last Monday to find that his service dog was stolen.

“Blu” is Darrell Shealy's best friend, a dog who he and his wife have considered a son since they picked him in November of last year.

“Blu” was nicknamed after the famous singer, Frank Sinatra.

Shealy, who served in the army for 16 years, has had Blu by his side as his service dog.

"My PTSD, I have paranoia. Having that animal with me all the time gives me that comfort zone," said Shealy.

That's why his world feels turned upside down.

"Last Monday, me and my wife returned home about 5:30. We saw the back door was wide open. We noticed the screen was down in the front of the house," explained Shealy. "My husky was nowhere to be found. He was in a locked house and had no way of escaping."

The Columbia Police Department says at least two men were seen robbing Shealy's home, taking the dog and a flat-screen TV. They left the Gavilan Avenue home in a 2001 to 2003 Toyota Sienna.

Shealy says he can't even walk back into his home.

This isn't the first time he's had one of his service dogs stolen. Another one of his pets was taken three years ago.

"The most difficult part is having someone come into my home and then to take something as close to me as my dog," he said. "To me, that's like you came and took a family member."

Whether it was for money or any other purpose, Shealy just wants the burglars to do the right thing.

"If it was money you were looking for, I would have given you $500 to leave him. You took a family member. You've taken a child from me and my wife. I would like to reach out to you and return my dog to me. Blu is very special in our lives. We are emotionally devastated," said Shealy.

If you have any information that could help bring his service dog back home, you are asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-Crime-SC.

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