It happened at 7 p.m. Sunday on Coyote Road and was caught on video. The family tells ABC7 News they were getting ready to leave their home, when their dog, Rollie, was unintentionally left outside. That's when someone grabbed the dog from over the fence and ran off into a car.
RELATED: Why French bulldogs are such frequent targets for thieves
The owner says a man was keeping tabs on the dog before he eventually stole him.
"We didn't know he was outside and by the time we realized it was too late so that's when we checked the cameras. It made us all cry," said David Palomino.
Rollie is black with brown paws and white on his chest.
The San Jose Police Department is investigating.
VIDEO: Bay Area woman's missing dog found 600 miles away in Mexico
Bay Area woman's missing dog found 600 miles away in Mexico