A 9-week-old Chihuahua was stolen from a West Islip pet store and surveillance video shows the thief used his daughter to make a getaway.

Police say the puppy, worth about $1,600, was stolen from its cage at BTJ's Jungle Pet Shop Friday. The storeowner says his staff didn?t realize the puppy was missing until about an hour after the dognapping. Surveillance video shows a man opening the cage, putting the puppy under his coat and he appears to use his toddler daughter to block the Chihuahua from view.

BTJ's owners say the stolen puppy is so small and frail, it could die without the proper care. They're hoping someone will recognize the man in the video so they can get the dog back. Police are asking any one with information to call Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.