Chicago Man Reunited With Dog 10 Years After Pup Went Missing
CHICAGO — A decade-long mystery came to a joyful end when Ed Lighthall was reunited with his beloved dog, Pete, a poodle mix who vanished from his backyard 10 years ago.
Pete’s Disappearance
Lighthall said he thought Pete had been stolen after the puppy went missing from his yard. For years, he spoke about how much he missed his dog, never imagining the pair would meet again.
That changed when Pete was recently spotted running loose in Hammond, Indiana, about 20 miles from where he originally disappeared.
Rescue and Microchip Match
Laney Bunner of Hammond Animal Control said Pete was found wearing a collar and tags before being taken to the shelter.
“The dog was running loose, right here on this very busy corner, and was picked up, [and] brought to our establishment,” Bunner explained.
When officials contacted Pete’s most recent owner, they said they did not want him back. That led animal control staff to check his microchip records with 24/7 Pet Watch, which ultimately connected Pete back to Lighthall.
An Emotional Reunion
“He was ecstatic because his dog had been missing for 10 years,” Bunner said, adding that it was the longest case of recovery she had ever heard of.
Lighthall described the reunion as surreal.
“He is a lot older than when I last saw him … but it’s like yesterday,” he told NBC Chicago. “It is like we picked up where we left off. I’m happy. He is happy. Everyone who hears this story is happy.”
Lighthall said he is “filled with gratitude” for the Hammond Animal Control staff who helped bring Pete home.
Microchip Success Stories
Pete’s case is one of several recent reunions made possible by microchip technology. Just last month, a family in Florida was reunited with their German shepherd after six years when firefighters rescued the dog from a canal and scanned her chip.
For Lighthall, the reunion has brought closure to a decade of uncertainty.
Do you think microchipping pets should be required nationwide to help more families reunite with lost animals? Share your thoughts in the comments on FatCityFeed.com.
