Dennis RomeroThe most famous dog in a community known for its canines (it is Dog Town, after all) gained his fame by disappearing.
The story of how John Frum, a seven-month-old Chihuahua-terrier mix, went missing has riveted the Bohemian, beachside community of Venice this week.
His fliers are everywhere. Homeless men wear his photo around their necks. He even has a Facebook page:
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Owner Brooke Nasser, a 35-year-old who's in the film business, says she visited a friend at 20th and Pacific Avenues Sunday night when the two decided to walk to a restaurant for a bite.
She put Frum in his small, gated yard, and when they returned he was gone, she told us.
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Nasser immediately started a campaign to find him. Her efforts include a Find John Frum website and a $2,000 reward. She has also posted fliers throughout the area.
“When I walk around,” she says, “anyone I talk to in Venice says, 'I know John Frum.' I talked to almost every homeless person in Venice.”
The Hollywood resident says the 6.3 pound puppy she received in June from a homeless woman who said she couldn't take care of him could be a victim of a “crime wave of dog theft in Venice.”
Credit: Courtesy findjohnfrum.com
She said there were three thefts in the area last week.
We spoke to an LAPD official who said the department has not received an uptick in reports of dog theft in the area. He noted, however, that this could just mean that people aren't reporting the crimes to police.
Nasser is concerned for Frum because he needs medication and a cone following neutering last week.
If you've seen him or might know where he is contact Nasser. She will be thankful. And you could be $2,000 richer.
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