Veteran pleads for service dog's return after it's stolen out front of store

Normally John Nevarez takes Chulo, his service dog, with him into the grocery store.

However, he left the Shih Tzu tied to a tree right outside of the Associated Supermarket because he was just going to be in and out, according to WABC.

Within moments, surveillance video shows someone untied Chulo and walked away with the dog.

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"I've had him since he was 6 months old with me, and my wife, she died, I promised her I would take care of him," Nevarez told WABC.

Nevarez, a Vietnam War veteran who served as a Navy Seabee, is diabetic and Chulo helps monitor his blood sugar level.

"When he sees me feel bad and he starts barking, that means I need to take my insulin shot," Nevarez told NBC News.

Nevarez is asking for whoever took Chulo to return him. He is even offering a $2,000 reward, money he planned to pay his rent with, according to WABC.

"I just want my dog back. I can't sleep without him, and I don't feel good," Nevarez told NBC News.

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