
DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710010155

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: By SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   82 lines

LONG-DISTANCE, LOST-DOG TALE HAS A HAPPY ENDING THANKS TO PERSISTENCE BY OWNER AND CHESAPEAKE ANIMAL CONTROL, PET IS FOUND IN HOLLAND, VA.

On New Year's Eve, Kimberly Chaney had a lot on her mind.

She was in the middle of moving, and her thoughts were on positive changes in her residence and in her personal life. In the rush of errands, Chaney forgot one very important, little detail.

She left Taz, her 11-week old pomeranian-sheltie puppy on the porch of her Norfolk Highlands' home. Early in the afternoon, Chaney rushed back to get her pet. But Taz was gone.

``And the nightmare began,'' she said.

Her friends and several neighbors searched the yard and then spread out to look under shrubs, sheds and automobiles. By early evening, they had combed the entire block.

About 8 p.m., the search party had their first lead when a young girl on Indian River Road a mile away reported seeing a small dog. But the tip did not help.

Chaney called the Chesapeake Police, the Chesapeake Animal Control Bureau and local veterinarians. A detective took a report, and an animal control officer helped search for a couple of hours. Chaney said Animal Control Officer Donna Mann even returned after she got off work to look. And veterinarians promised to call if a dog matching the missing-report description was brought in for treatment.

``Everyone sensed how upset I was,'' Chaney said. ``They were understanding, concerned and helpful.''

For more than two weeks, Chaney put out lost-dog fliers and advertisements and checked several times a day with animal control. She received several calls from veterinarians, but each time it was the wrong dog.

``I had no appetite and cried myself to sleep for days,'' Chaney said.

Almost by instinct, Mann returned to the house on Indian River Road. She also carried a picture of the dog with her. After piecing together tidbits, Mann discovered the puppy had been given away as a stray.

Mann made phone calls and tracked down several leads until she located a couple in Holland, Va., who had become attached to the fluffy, energetic pup and did not want to lose him. But Mann told them of the upset owner and also informed them that it is a felony in Virginia to take a dog.

``I did not want to ask questions or press charges,'' Chaney said. ``I just wanted my dog back.''

On a cold January night several weeks after his disappearance, Taz was returned to Chaney.

``To return a pet is one of the greatest rewards of this job,'' said Mann. ``We have often have too many sad endings.''

``I was really lucky. Most pets who are missing for longer than a few days are not often found.'' Chaney said. ``And if it had not been for the persistence of Officer Mann and others at the Animal Control Bureau, I would not have my Taz back.''

Gloria Janik, of animal control, agrees that Chaney is one of the lucky pet owners. There is about a 50 percent chance of a safe return during the first few days a pet is missing. But with each passing day, the chances of finding a lost pet become slimmer.

Last year, 1,607 dogs were picked up by animal control, and 630 dogs were returned to their owners.

``Although our No. 1 priority is reuniting animals with their owners, when their is no identification or license tag, it's very difficult to help,'' Janik said. ``We also encourage owners to not give up, and to check with animal control every two days.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

Kimberly Chaney lost her 11-week-old pomeranian-sheltie puppy, Taz,

for three weeks from her Norfolk Highlands' home.

Graphic

LOST-PET TIPS

Here's some advice from the Chesapeake Animal Control Bureau:

Pets should always have collars with current identification,

rabies and city license tag information.

Lost-pet procedure

Go to the Animal Control Bureau and file a lost-animal report

immediately

Take a picture of the pet to the Animal Control Bureau

Contact local veterinarians and pass along information