Legally Blind Man Reunited with His Elderly Service Dog Months After It Was Stolen

A Chicago service dog has been reunited with its owner months after being reportedly stolen from his home.

Angel Santiago and his 14-year-old Dachshund, Bam Bam, are back together after the legally blind 58-year-old walked “7 miles every day looking for his beloved service dog and handing out flyers,” according to a GoFundMe account.

The story quickly went viral, and Bam Bam was returned to the 16th District police station in Chicago by an unidentified man and woman on the night of Tuesday, Aug. 19, according to the Chicago Tribune.

His safe return came nearly three months after he disappeared from Santiago’s yard in the Logan Square neighborhood on June 5. A photo shared to the GoFundMe shows Santiago embracing his beloved pet, visibly emotional after their reunion.

“Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me, please. I beg of you to help me,” Santiago, who was diagnosed with glaucoma, previously said via GoFundMe as he called on the community for help finding his dog. The fundraiser was organized by Amy Pasalich.

“Out of respect for their privacy, we won’t be sharing every detail, but what matters most is that Angel and Bam Bam are safe and together again,” Pasalich said in the GoFundMe account’s most recent update on Aug. 20, thanking those who helped make the reunion possible.

As of Thursday, Aug. 21, the GoFundMe had raised just over $20,000. Pasalich said the donations would cover expenses such as reward money, pet detective services, flyers, and organizing volunteers to canvas the area, as well as reviewing any Ring footage from the morning Bam Bam was allegedly taken.

According to reports, PETA said Bam Bam was taken from his backyard by two unknown men who entered through the gate. Santiago allegedly tried to intervene and even grabbed one of the suspects but was unable to stop them.

An investigation into the theft remains ongoing.