Florida couple reunited with dog after 17-day search
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - Every devoted dog owner's nightmare of their furry friend running away became a reality earlier this month for a South Florida couple.
Bella after being reunited with her owner. Courtesy: Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
That’s when a couple on a getaway in Crystal River came back from an afternoon out to find their dog, Bella, had escaped their hotel room.
Dig deeper:
It led to a 17-day search that included asking for community help in finding her, according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
The couple began searching for Bella on foot, spending the next two days going door to door in the area and asking people if they had seen her.
When that failed, they turned to local ‘word of mouth’ groups on Facebook, sharing photos of Bella and asking people if they had seen her in the area.
That’s how a resident at the Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort was able to recognize Bella, and called the couple saying they might have spotted her.
The pup’s father then made the nearly three-and-a-half-hour drive back to Citrus County, when he restarted his search in a wooded area by foot.
CLICK HERE:>>> Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Bella was finally caught and returned to the man after Animal Control Services offered to come in and help catch her.
The Source: The Citrus County Sheriff's Office provided the information used to write this story.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter