Reward Offered for Safe Return of Missing Dog
The O'Donnell family has been looking for Chesty, a rat terrier/beagle mix, since Nov. 16, when he got loose in the Mearns/Bristol neighborhood.
It's been two-and-a-half weeks since Chesty got loose from the O'Donnell's backyard, and the Warminster family sorely misses their beloved dog.
"I call for him every night," said John O'Donnell. "We've got two other dogs, a 7-year-old rat terrier and a chug, a chihuahua/pug mix. They want him back home."
The public was first made aware that Chesty, a rat terrier/beagle mix, had gone missing from a blog posted by Mary Alice Brancato on Nov. 19. Readers voiced their support to the family in the comments, and a few claimed to catch a glimpse of Chesty in a few different spots.
The tips did not result in the return of Chesty, unfortunately. O'Donnell has also sent out notices through his various e-mail networks, posted a message on Craigslist and hung signs around town. He has notified the Warminster, Warwick and Northampton police departments, and if Chesty turns up in one of those towns, they will call the others to end the search.
The family has now added a $100 reward for Chesty's safe return, no questions asked.
Despite the frustrating lack of leads, O'Donnell still holds out hope that Chesty is alive. O'Donnell's youngest daughter of three also shares his optimism, telling him that she would feel it if Chesty had been killed.
"I think if he had been struck and killed, someone would have found him by now and notified the police," said O'Donnell. "It feels like that someone found him and decided to keep him."
Christina Lasher
9:23 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Is this is the one near Bristol and Mearns Road? I remember reading about him and going outside to look (I live on Mearns Road). Animals are always across the street in the industrial park, didn't see him. Hope he's home safe soon.
Valerie Jacoby
9:29 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Omg, I had the same thing happen to me last New Years Eve. My Delilah (an Italian Greyhound/ Chihuahua mix) got out, and we never saw her again. We did everything we could to find her. We put an ad on Craigslist everyday, We checked all the spca's and shelters we could think of, We went door to door handing out fliers, We posted fliers in businesses, we offered a $100 reward (no questions asked), we called animal control several times to see if she had been found dead anywhere, and we called all the vets in the area and then some and left a description of her just in case someone tried to bring her in as their pet, but we never found her. My family misses her so much, and my children still talk about her everyday. I also have a pug/ chihuahua mix who misses her a lot as well. I'd do anything to find her. I as well believe someone found her and kept her for their own. I know what your family is going through and how you feel. It's horrible. I hope Chesty returns home to you guys safe and sound. I work at a local dog kennel in Warminster, I will pass Chesty's info on to my co-workers and customers. Good Luck!!
Cheryl Baker
6:29 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Never give up! People have been reunited with their dogs months or years later. Keep calling shelters, better yet visit them - sometimes they don't even know if your dog is there and will tell you no..Better to check in person every few days.. Talk to postal carriers, they see everything from early morning till end of day. Keep signs up in vets offices, groomers, pet stores , supermarkets, anywhere you can put one.. Talk to school bus drivers for sightings and give each a photo with contact number. Also contact other shelters outside this area, sometimes a dog will be taken in and then gets loose in another county or even taken to a different county shelter.. Just keep positive, don't give up and expect the best!!! My thoughts are with all of you ....
John O'Donnell
8:12 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thank you for all of your kind comments. We appreciate your concern.
John O'Donnell
2:12 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I know a lost dog is not the most pressing issue in our communities. I realize the police are busy keeping the peace and helping people with other problems. But our family feels that someone must have taken Chesty in, or has seen a neighbor with a "new" pet. Please continue to look out for him. We are grateful for all the best wishes for Chesty's safe return. Thank you.
John O'Donnell
10:07 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
We continue to look for Chesty. We have moved the search in to Richboro and Churchville as we have received reports that Chesty was sighted in those areas. It has been a little over 2 months and we continue to miss Chesty. Again, thank you to all who also continue to look for him.
John O'Donnell
2:16 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
We will continue to look for Chesty. The "Lost Dog" signs we put up have been disappearing this past week. I don't know if it is PECO or the townships' doing but I thought for a lost dog there might be an exception. Regardless, we still hope that our little dog comes home safe and sound. And soon.
John O'Donnell
11:23 am on Thursday, April 18, 2013
Some of you are probably tired of seeing these posts here, on Facebook and Craigslist. I am sorry but I will continue to use whatever methods are available to search for, and ultimately find, Chesty. We have had people from hundreds of miles away send photos to see if it is Chesty. The overwhelming support is heartening but my personal feeling is that he is closer to home, taken in by someone who doesn't know of our search, or worse, doesn't care. Thank you to all and please keep looking.
Anne M.
6:49 am on Friday, May 3, 2013
Hi John - Are those current pics of Chesty? I seen a pic of a dog taken to Warwick Police and it looks similar to chesty but not exact. Do you have an email I can send you a pic?