Veteran’s service dog missing, possibly stolen
A service dog belonging to a Yuma Marine veteran has gone missing, and friends are hoping to bring him back home.
Friend Adrianne Michaels said King, a blue nose pit bull, went missing on Nov. 1, in the Ocotillo area of the Foothills. He said that he got a phone call from his roommate that day saying that Hulk, a companion dog for the pit bull, was sitting outside their front door when she got home, but King was nowhere to be found.
Michaels, who was asked to care for the 2-year-old dog while the owner was away, said that while it was possible the dog just got loose, he is afraid someone may have taken him.
“I came right home from work and started searching the neighborhood,” Michaels said. “I’m not sure how (King) got out because when I got home the gate wasn’t open.”
Michaels said King, who is microchipped and neutered, belongs to his friend Gus Higgins, who had been a Special Forces sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, and that the dog is a certified emotional support animal that helps Higgins cope with posttraumatic stress disorder.
“They are inseparable and do everything together,” Michaels said. “King is pampered and
spoiled. He is more like a family member.”
King, according to Michaels, is not at all aggressive, and while he won’t get into a strange vehicle, he will answer to his name if called. While he typically wears a blue harness with his owner’s information on it, he didn’t have it on the day he went missing.
“He is extremely friendly and very sweet. He loves to play and cuddle and gives the biggest kisses,” Michaels said. “King is an amazing animal and I think by now someone has him because he is a pit bull. I just pray wherever he is that he’s being taken care of and not scared.”
The situation has been extremely difficult for Michaels because he feels he let his friend down. Higgins is currently working overseas as a civilian contractor and can’t come home.
“I was watching him, and he was my responsibility,” an emotional Michaels said. “Guy calls me every day and asks if there is any news. I have to tell him no. I want to be able to give him his dog when he gets back. He needs his dog.”
While there have been some sightings of blue nose pit bulls in the Foothills, none have turned out to be King. So far no dogs matching King’s description have been picked up by animal control or turned in to the Humane Society of Yuma.
Michaels is offering a $1,000 reward for King’s return, no questions asked. A Facebook page titled “Bring King Home” has also been created so people can post possible sightings and other messages.
Anyone who thinks they may have seen King, or might have information on his whereabouts, is asked to call Michaels at 619-3028295 or HSOY at 928-7821621.