Franklin the pit bull went missing from his North Tonawanda home at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 28, right before a winter storm was set to hit Western New York. His owners were devastated, but when they reached out to the North Tonawanda community for help, they had no idea how far they would go to bring their sweet dog home.
Rick Salisbury, a North Tonawanda dog control officer, was in touch with Franklin’s family and followed up on every lead possible.
“I do not take my duties lightly, but I will say Franklin meant a little more to me because I knew he was out in that horrible weather last week,” he said.
Salisbury received a call yesterday morning from a woman who said a gentleman from the property he was on heard crying and growling coming from under a truck at 101 Witmer Road. Knowing that Franklin was sighted in that area days earlier gave Salisbury hope that dog was Franklin.
Thankfully, he was right.
Franklin was found bedded under a dump truck. He was in need of medical attention, but he is going to be OK.
“It was tips and sightings from concerned NT residents that made this a success story,” said Salisbury.
Franklin’s owner Stephanie Lyon burst into tears of joy when she went to Pinewoods Animal Hospital to pick Franklin up. And he was just as happy to see her.
“Words cannot describe how happy I am that Franklin is home safe. Thank you so much to everyone who has liked/commented/shared our post, went out searching, kept their eyes out etc. I am so appreciative of you. A special thank you to Rick Salisbury for following up every lead and eventually finding him. No better news I could’ve gotten today and I cannot thank you enough. This means the world to our family.”
Moral of the story, NEVER give up on your missing pets. ❤️ See their beautiful reunion below.
