After going missing earlier this week, Lily, a grey and white pit bull, has found her way home and her owner, Lauren Paige Richeson could not be happier!
It all began after Richeson made a quick pit stop at a local New York convenience store in Brooklyn. Richeson attached Lily’s leash to a pole, while she ran in to pick up a few things. To her horror, Lily was gone when she came back out.
It is believed that Lily was stolen, after onlookers witnessed a man in a red shirt dragging Lily by her collar.
Lily’s disappearance started a three day, community wide search that got a ton of publicity within the neighborhood. Richeson spent every waking minute looking for Lily, as she rode around on her bike searching for the dog and posting flyers everywhere she could.
It was a devastating loss for Richeson, who had adopted Lily three years ago from a pit bull rescue organization.
“Part of me had accepted that I was never going to see my dog again,” said Richeson, “It’s a crazy city and the chances of getting a pit bull back in Bushwick are slim to none.”
Lily was found after being dropped of at a shelter in East New York by an unidentified man. The shelter will not release the name of the man.
It is unknown how Lily made her way to East New York, however, Richeson is convinced she didn’t get there alone.
“It’s about five miles away and the terrain is impossible,” said Richeson.
Richeson states Lily does not seem overly bothered by the ordeal.
“She had no idea what went on,” said Richeson. “She was like, ‘Okay, time to go home,’ and came home and got in her bed.”
Richeson is determined to find the man responsible for kidnapping her beloved Lily, as she pushes police to investigate. It is hoped that video surveillance will provide enough clues to find the perpetrator.
Happy to have Lily home, Richeson is now concerned with buying enough ice cream for all the kids in the neighborhood who helped search for Lily.
“I can’t believe the way people rallied together,” said Richeson. “I thought it was going to be just me and my roommate searching, but people really cared. It put my faith back in humanity.”
