Dog Missing After Owner's Body Found At Patapsco Valley State Park

MILLERSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- A family dog goes missing after its owner's body is found floating in the waters of Patapsco Valley State Park. Animal Control is now searching for the 7-year-old pit bull.

Christie Ileto explains what's being done to bring Brutus home.

Animal Control set up traps around the area days after the owner's body was found, but the dog is still missing. That's why police say they need the public's help.

Friday means day 10 in the search for Brutus, a 7-year-old pit bull, who Anne Arundel County Police say went missing after his owner's body was found floating in the waters of Patapsco Valley State Park earlier this month.

"The dog that the gentleman had apparently left in the area at the time. We've gone back to check, but unfortunately, we haven't found the dog," said Lt. T.J. Smith, Anne Arundel County Police.

Police say it doesn't appear the dog was stolen.

"The likelihood somebody might have found the dog on the street and taken it is there," said Smith.

"Yeah. In this neighborhood. They'd seen him in a car," said family friend Troy Wiggington.

The random sighting led the family to a street in Pumphrey, just inside the Baltimore Beltway. For 5-year-old Alana, already having lost her uncle, she says she's hoping she won't have to lose a second family member.

"Bring Boo home. I miss him," she said.

From fliers to pictures on Facebook, the family and a group called Dogs Finding Dogs are combing through nearly a dozen area neighborhoods hoping to recover the family pet.

"We're trying every possible lead to follow up and find this dog and get him back home," said Anne Wills, Dogs Finding Dogs.

That includes setting up traps of sorts, cages with food inside, to safely bring Brutus home.

If you have any information, contact Anne Arundel County Animal Control.

The family is trying to raise money for a reward to whomever finds the dog. So far, they've collected $500.

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