Hollister police Wednesday reunited the owner of a pit bull with the pet dog after it had been missing for nearly 11 months, according to the Hollister Police Department.
Animal control officers reunited the dog with its owner two days after police received a call from a resident saying he found his family pit bull that had been missing for almost 11 months. The dog was with another person on Jacqueline Drive. He reported that the dog, “Kimbo,” recognized him and became excited, but that the person holding the dog’s leash refused to give up the pet, according to the HPD.
Animal control and police officers seized the dog Tuesday and determined it belonged to the man, who had documents and prior licensing information, along with several photos of the family dog, according to police.
The man had filed a lost dog report with animal control in June 2012, while the woman with the dog reported she found it that same month, police alleged.
The man had owned the dog for more than five years, since Kimbo was a 2-month-old puppy, according to police.
According to the statement, the owner was “very grateful to the Hollister Police Animal Control Officers for their assistance. Kimbo was also very excited and the man had Kimbo performed several tricks that he had taught him for shelter staff.”
Police cited the woman who had the dog and filed the report with the district attorney’s office for a violation of Penal Code 485, misappropriation/theft of lost property, according to police.
The statement went on: Animal Care and Services wants to remind citizens that dogs are personal property and if you find a dog you must contact your local animal shelter to file a found report and scan for a micro-chip. In many cases, if the lost pet is not claimed the person who found the animal may be able to adopt it. It should be noted in this case, if the dog had been brought to the shelter, the dog would have been reunited almost a year ago.
Anyone wishing to rescue a dog and provide it with a “forever” home is encouraged to visit the animal shelter or visit the website to search for available pets. www.hollister.ca.gov The Hollister Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau is located at 1331 South St.
