Eight years ago, Harley disappeared from his backyard in Lee County, Florida in February 2014. His owner, Betsy DeHaan had turned him outdoors for a bathroom run, but suddenly he ran off into the woods. His family put up posters, searched the neighborhood over and over and never stopped looking for their friendly pit bull.
According to NewsLiveFlorida, Harley had been micro chipped, but he was never found much to the sadness of his family. But, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Over the weekend, Harley was found in San Carlos Park; he was extremely malnourished, but still the same sweet dog from years gone by.
DeHaan had since moved out of the area to Gainesville, but never did get another dog. She never thought she would ever see Harley again, so try to imagine her surprise after the dog’s microchip made his identification possible.
Angie Bray had been the kind woman who spotted Harley, describing him as well-behaved and happy in spite of his emaciated condition. She brought the abandoned dog to the Cypress Lake Animal Hospital and Lee County Domestic Animal Services traced the dog’s microchip.
“I am so happy that my team helped reunite this family with their dog after 8 long years!” stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “Our partners with Lee County Domestic Animal Services do a great job helping my Animal Cruelty Task Force protect those that cannot protect themselves.”On Saturday, July 2, 2022, Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) responded to 18664 Tampa Road in reference to an emaciated dog found in the neighborhood. The dog was described as a brown pit bull that was malnourished and had extremely long nails. LCDAS learned that the dog, later identified as “Harley”, was equipped with a microchip and her owner was identified as Betsy DeHaan. Betsy, who currently lives in Gainesville, told LCDAS that she adopted Harley in 2013 from LCDAS. Harley went missing later that year. Over the holiday weekend, Harley was located and reunited with her family. Betsy traveled from Gainesville to pick her up and bring her home. Sheriff Carmine Marceno’s Animal Cruelty Task Force is thrilled that Harley is now with her family, however, detectives are investigating the incident due to the conditions in which Harley was found.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
On Saturday, Betsy received a text that Harley had been found. She was so ecstatic that she drove from Gainesville to Lee County to reunite with her beloved dog.
We love happy endings. Many thanks to everyone involved in reuniting Harley with his family.
(Photos via screenshots Wink News and Lee County Sheriff’s Office)
Follow the National Pet Rescue for the latest news and updates.
I love people who love animals! Choose your favorite color and design at this link. Purchases help support the continuation of this site.
Find Joy in the Little Things! Choose your favorite color and style at this link. Your purchase helps the continuation of our site!
