Ellie weighs five pounds, but her family says she acts like a much bigger dog. At 16, she has been a comfort to Rebecca and Mike Jones through some hard times.
Then one Monday night, she disappeared from their yard in Warren, Michigan.
A Monday Night in Warren
Rebecca Jones says her husband Mike stepped outside during Monday night football to take out the trash and move his work vehicle closer to the house.
Rebecca and the dogs were in the garage. At some point, Ellie got out.
Then a neighbor called. According to Rebecca, the neighbor said a woman got out of a car, walked onto the property and took Ellie.
The Call on Saturday
The family didn’t see Ellie again until Saturday, when they got a call that she had been dropped off at UrgentVet.
A worker told WDIV that a woman walked in and handed over the dog. She reportedly said she found Ellie after the dog was hit, took her home to wash her, and then brought her to the clinic.
The worker described Ellie’s injuries as burns. Staff checked for a microchip and contacted her owners.
You can read the full account in this WDIV report on Ellie’s case.
Where Ellie Is Now
Ellie was moved to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, where she is being treated. Recent photos show her in bandages, with a tube coming from her nose.
Her owners say she is getting stronger. They still want answers, though.
Mike said that if it was an accident, coming forward is “the right thing to do.” The Warren Police Department says the case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Palmer at 586-574-4841. The family is also raising money to help cover Ellie’s vet bills.
Why Small and Senior Dogs Need Extra Watching
A five-pound dog can slip out a door or through a gap in seconds. And an older dog may take longer to recover from any injury.
If you share your home with a senior, these senior dog care tips are worth a read.
Dogs do get taken, too. A mini Labradoodle named Easton was stolen from a San Francisco sidewalk and recovered by police in two hours.
Has your dog ever slipped out of the yard without you noticing? Tell me in the comments, I’d like to hear your story.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Dog at Home
- Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard, even for a few minutes.
- Check that gates and doors latch fully, every time.
- Keep a clear, recent photo of your dog on your phone.
- Ask neighbors to call you if they see anything odd. In Ellie’s case, a neighbor’s call was how the family learned she’d been taken.
- If your dog goes missing, call the police right away.
Why This Matters
The first clinic checked Ellie for a microchip, and that step matters. A 2009 study of more than 7,700 stray animals found that microchipped dogs went home 52.2% of the time, compared with 21.9% for dogs without chips.
For cats, the gap was 38.5% versus 1.8%. The AVMA’s Check the Chip Day report also says the usual reason chipped pets didn’t get home was wrong or missing owner information.
That’s how a dog who walked up to a Tampa police office got home after officers scanned his microchip. A chip only works if the phone number attached to it is current.
Key Takeaways
- Ellie, a 16-year-old five-pound dog, is recovering at a veterinary hospital after being allegedly taken from her Warren yard.
- Police are investigating and asking anyone with information to come forward.
- Clinics check for microchips, so keep your contact details current.
- Never leave small or senior dogs unattended outside.
Conclusion
Ellie’s story isn’t finished. She is getting stronger, and her family is still hoping for answers.
If you want more rescue stories and pet care tips, follow Furry Found on X and join our Facebook group.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Details are based on public reports and may change.