A missing dog is home safe, after a quick-thinking bartender recognized the pet at her place of business and realized the dog had been stolen.
Riley Pilch, from West Des Moines, Iowa, was worried sick after her German Shepard, Rip, disappeared from her yard on Sunday, according to KCCI.
The dog owner shared the story on social media, hoping to spread the word and ask people to keep a look out for her lost pet.
The strategy paid off: days later, a sharp-eyed citizen recognized Rip on social media — and realized he may have been stolen.
Riley Kirk, a bartender at a bar called Tonic, saw a photo of the German Shepard on Facebook and realized he was identical to one a couple had brought to the bar the night before.
“I don’t even know how I would’ve been able to make the connection, but something just didn’t sit right with me,” Kirk told KCCI.
She tipped off Pilch, who worked with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to track down the suspected couple to their home, where they found the dog.
According to KCCI, no charges were made against the couple who had the dog, because they couldn’t prove intent. Pilch wrote on Facebook that the male suspect lied to the department in saying they had found the dog that morning. They also claimed Rip was not the dog they brought to the bar, despite witnesses claiming otherwise.
But the important thing was that Rip was found safe and sound. “Rip has since been checked out by a local vet, and returned. He is happy and still just as big of a derp as he has always been!” Pilch wrote.
“I am so grateful for all of you with helping bring my sweet baby boy home!”
She was especially grateful to Kirk for recognizing her dog and doing the right thing by helping her get him back safe.
“Honestly it was everybody else that made this happen,” Pilch told KCCI. “All of social media, the community, it took a village. Everyone rallied up for him. I’m so happy.”
We’re so glad Rip is back home safe and sound! Thank you to Riley Kirk for recognizing this sweet dog and helping him reunite with his owner!
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