PORTLAND, Ore. -- A dog owner in southeast Portland made a tearful plea for her dog's return Wednesday after she said the pet was kidnapped outside her home.

Lindsey Lewis said she discovered her dog, "Pepper," was missing Monday night from her home on Southeast 94th Avenue and Burnside Street.

Lewis said she let her three dogs -- all pug-Chihuahuas -- out into her backyard after she returned from work. Fifteen minutes later, "Pepper" was gone.

Lewis frantically searched for her dog but then noticed a hole in the metal fence in her yard. She said someone clipped the wires, pulled the fence back and stole her dog.

"I freaked out," she said. "I freaked out … she didn't just slip out of the fence. She was stolen. She was taken."

Lewis said she has had the dog since it was a puppy and that it is more than just a pet. She filed a police report, posted flyers in the area and is offering a reward for Pepper's safe return.

"If someone wants a dog they can foster a dog, they can go volunteer at the Humane Society, they don't have to steal someone's love," Lewis said.

Anyone with information on the dog's whereabouts is asked to contact Multnomah County Animal Services. Lewis said tipsters can also contact her at 503-913-1720.