Doggy day care van stolen with 6 dogs inside

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are searching for two men who stole a doggy day care van at gunpoint in the River West neighborhood and drove off with several dogs inside.

PHOTOS: Van stolen with 6 dogs inside

Urban Out Sitters was taking the dogs home just before 4 p.m. Wednesday. All the animals were inside an unmarked company van stolen by two armed men.

"Never thought I would see a van hijacked like that at gunpoint and now the dogs are gone," said Joseph Giannini, Urban Out Sitters.

Police say the van, which was left running, was near Ogden and Grand. The driver was not in the van at the time, police said. The two gunmen brushed off another man who tried to stop them and stole the van at gunpoint.

The news horrified the dogs' owners, who are now worried and heartbroken.

"I got a text from my wife saying my dog had been kidnapped. I couldn't comprehend what that meant. I called her back immediately and she told me what happened and I was just in shock," said Tad Tomita, Mochi's owner.

Now, police are looking for the 2002 Town and Country Chrysler van with Illinois license plate number R18 8669.

"We really want the van to be left somewhere that people will hear the dogs barking or see the van or the cops will find the van so we can get the home before they freeze to death," said Laura Potts, Kayla's owner.

"I'm really worried she may not survive the night if we can't find her," Tomita said.

Police gave only a vague description of the suspects, who are believed to be between 18-25 years old.