Exclusive: Family demands justice after beloved dog fatally struck by car in Fordham
opez said his Shih Tzu, named Balu, was hit and killed shortly after 12 p.m. on Monday at East 184th Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham.
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A Bronx family is demanding justice and asking for the public's help to find a driver who they say hit and killed their beloved pet in Fordham - and then kept going.
“I saw with my own eyes how my dog died in front of me,” said Jose Lopez, the dog’s owner.
Lopez said his Shih Tzu, named Balu, was hit and killed shortly after 12 p.m. on Monday at East 184th Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham.
Surveillance video doesn’t show the hit but captured Lopez crossing the street. It then shows a car driving by -and bystanders rushing to the corner.
“Now I can understand when people lose a pet,” Lopez said.
Lopez told News 12 he had the right of way across the busy roadway, and Balu was hit in the middle of the crosswalk. He says the driver pulled over for a brief moment, yelled profanities at Lopez and he kept going.
Lopez said the driver appeared to be 20 or 30 years old and was in a gray SUV.
The dog owner admitted the dog was not on a leash – but Lopez said the 12-year-old, 12-pound pooch followed closely behind and had trouble walking.
“It breaks my heart because [Balu] was his companion, his best friend,” said Coral Lopez, Jose’s daughter. “That was his everything.”
Coral told News 12 her dad spent the last eight years living alone with the dog that helped him get through several health struggles.
“Seeing my dad happy, seeing him well, and seeing how much an influence a dog could make on his life; I think that’s what I appreciate the most about Balu,” Corla said.
The family said they want justice to be served.
They told News 12 they filed a police report.
As of Tuesday night, it’s unclear if police believe any criminality is involved.
