Hollywood Woman Reunites with Dog After Attack and Theft

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Hollywood Woman Reunites with Beloved Dog After Harrowing Attack

Emotional reunion follows a distressing incident where a local resident was assaulted, and her cherished pet was taken.

Hollywood, Florida—A local woman experienced a heartwarming reunion with her dog after a traumatic event that left the community on edge.

Last Saturday evening, around 6 p.m., Karla Funkhouser was walking her nine-year-old dog, Mylo, along the 2200 block of Polk Street. Suddenly, a group of teenagers on bicycles approached from behind, performing wheelies. One of them grabbed Mylo's leash, causing Funkhouser to be pulled forward and fall.

"The kids were playing, and they just went and grabbed the leash," Funkhouser recounted, demonstrating the sudden jolt. "I went flying, and then I said, 'Mylo,' and then I had to let go."

In the aftermath, Mylo was gone. Having shared nearly a decade together, Funkhouser was overwhelmed with worry about his well-being.

"My dog, and then you're thinking, if he's eating or they're abusing him, what are they doing? You know?" she expressed.

Leveraging the power of social media, Funkhouser discovered that Mylo had been taken to Broward Animal Care. Since he wasn't microchipped, the shelter had no way to identify his owner.

Doug Brightwell, Director of Broward Animal Care, emphasized the importance of pet identification: "Return to owners is much easier when our pets come in and they're properly licensed and microchipped."

The moment Funkhouser had been longing for finally arrived. Upon seeing Mylo, she exclaimed, "Mylo, it's your mommy, it's your mommy!" Mylo's wagging tail and eager response made it clear he recognized her voice.

"It's okay, baby, mommy's here," she reassured him.

Now neutered and microchipped, Mylo is ready to return home.

"Mylo, you happy to go home? We're going home, baby. We're going home!" Funkhouser joyfully declared.

This incident underscores the importance of microchipping pets to ensure their safe return if they ever get lost. Local shelters and veterinary clinics offer microchipping services, providing peace of mind to pet owners.

For more information on microchipping services in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, residents are encouraged to contact their local animal care centers.