CBS2 Exclusive: Woman Says Men Punched Her In Stomach, Stole Her Dog

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A woman from Queens was distraught Monday, after she says two men assaulted her and stole her beloved cocker spaniel while they were walking in the park.

"I'm angry, I'm very upset, I don't see how people would be able to do that," said the 29-year-old, who did not want her identity released.

She told CBS2's Tracee Carrasco that she was walking her 5-year-old pup Ginger through a dark area of Crocheron Park in Bayside, Queens, around 10 p.m. Sunday when a seemingly friendly man bent down to pet the dog.

"One guy bent down, he was very friendly, he was asking me a lot of questions about Ginger, and the other guy came and sucker punched me in the gut," the woman said. "I lost my breath and I fell down, and the other guy picked up the dog and they ran down the stairs."

She says the interaction with the two men happened in a matter of seconds, and after being punched, she didn't even have time to react.

"I was just trying to get up and get to her but I was moving too slow and I didn't see where they went by the time I got down the stairs," the woman explained.

Pet owners in Crocheron Park are shocked by such a callous crime, Carrasco reported.

"People are desperate now, people are ready to do anything," said James Di Giacomo. It's a vulnerable area."

Pete McGuirk said he's never heard of anything like this taking place in Crocheron Park in the 50 years that he's been coming here.

Now this woman is hoping these heartless thieves will return her best friend home safely.

"I just want my dog back, I love her, she's like my family," the woman pleaded.

Missing posters are up all around Crocheron Park and Ginger's owner has filed a police report and is offering a reward for her safe return.