Sky Green (left) and her partner Stephen with Kosmo (right), who was missing for several months. Photo / Supplied
Sky Green (left) and her partner Stephen with Kosmo (right), who was missing for several months. Photo / Supplied
A missing dog has been reunited with its rightful owners in the Far North after a desperate four-month search and intervention by police and animal control.
However, while the owner of the brindle dog - named Kosmo - believed he had been stolen from her property in Taipa, police andthe district council say the dog had wandered off and was picked up by a couple who cared for him.
The saga began early November, when owner Sky Green got home from work to find Kosmo gone, along with his chain, lead and dog bowl.
She "blasted all over social media" that he was missing, presumed stolen.
In February she spotted Kosmo – who is microchipped and registered - tied to the back of a flatdeck truck at Taipa beach.
When she approached the couple in the truck and tried to take the dog, there was a minor scuffle between Green and the male driver before they drove away.
"I was fuming about it," Green said.
"It destroyed me for a long time, I never did stop looking for Kosmo. Whenever I got time off work I was out looking for him."
Green reported the incident to police, and later found out where the couple lived.
Two weeks ago, a Mangonui police officer and a Far North District Council animal control officer visited their property in a bid to prove ownership.
Council environmental services manager Rochelle Deane confirmed an animal management officer recently accompanied the police to a property so he could scan a dog for a microchip.
Kosmo went missing in early November and was recently returned to his owner Sky Green. Photo / Supplied
"The police asked for the council's assistance after a dog owner claimed that a dog seen at the property looked like one she had lost previously," she said.
"After questioning a man at the property, a brindle-coloured dog was produced and was scanned for a microchip. A microchip was present, and the scan confirmed that this was the lost dog.
"The homeowner said the dog had turned up at her house and that it appeared to be lost. She decided to keep it."
A police spokesperson said the couple said the dog had wandered on to their property.
"They had it vet-checked, where it received treatment for ticks and have cared for it since.
"They weren't aware it belonged to anyone as they asked around with local neighbours and no one knew where it came from."
The police spokesperson said no further action was necessary.
"There is no evidence the dog was stolen and so police will not be carrying out any further action as the couple which had the puppy were acting in good faith."
The dog was removed and later reunited with Green, who is thrilled to have him back.
"The day we got Kosmo back he was a bit wary and confused, but once he started getting into his routine he was the same old dog. He's a big baby.
"It feels like the house is full again."
Deane said the incident demonstrates how important it is to get pets microchipped.
"This process is quick and painless for the pet and council animal management officers charge just $31 for the procedure.
"This is a one-off cost and is the only sure way to prove the dog is yours. Collars and registration or name tags can be removed, but a microchip is permanent."
