Latest news with #emotional support dog
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
A Chicago man's support dog was stolen. Now the internet is desperate to bring 14-year-old dachshund mix Bam Bam home.
Owner Angel Santiago lost his sight entirely nearly three years ago and is asking for people to be on the lookout for Bam Bam. A stolen dog in Chicago is breaking hearts across the internet, and now there are rewards for information leading to the pup's safe return. On June 5, Bam Bam, a 14-year-old dachshund mix emotional support dog, was taken from his owner's backyard in the Chicago neighborhood of Logan Square, per reporting from Fox 32 Chicago. Angel Santiago, who is legally blind due to progressive glaucoma, had let Bam Bam out in the backyard to go to the bathroom when he heard two people enter. Santiago attempted to grab one of the suspects, but was unable to hold on to them. Santiago then said he heard Bam Bam barking, but that the sound got softer as the suspects, at least one of whom Santiago believes is a teenager who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt at the time, fled with the dog. It's unclear to Santiago if the individuals who seemingly took Bam Bam are men or women. Since then, there have been no leads on who took Bam Bam. Santiago, who also lives with diabetes and became completely blind nearly three years ago, now walks up to seven miles a day searching for his beloved dog, with volunteers also joining the search. He has also put up posters and stood outside of local grocery store Tony's Fresh Market with Bam Bam's leash and collar in hopes someone will come forward with information about the dog's whereabouts. "Bam Bam means the world to me and I feel my body draining away. I can only do so much. I promised that I will keep walking and walking, yelling his name out,' Santiago told Fox 32 Chicago. 'But if you could just help me with your own eyes and see if you could spot him for me. Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me please. I beg of you to help me.' The world wants to help Bam Bam come home Though Fox 32 Chicago reports that Santiago has denied any financial help, stating he just wants to bring Bam Bam home, a GoFundMe was started to provide aid in the search for Santiago's dog. Santiago is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Bam Bam's return. PETA is also offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the safe return of Bam Bam. And now, social media is spreading the word about Bam Bam as well. 'I mean this in the most disrespectful way possible: Whoever has Bam Bam, you better give him back right now,' one TikToker said in a recent video. 'What kind of evil person steals a dog from a blind person?' another asked in a video. 'Who steals a service dog? That is a working dog. Why would you steal it? That is insane to me. You deserve to be in jail.' Others have shared Santiago's missing poster, which includes a phone number people can call. Unfortunately, Santiago said he has only received fake tips and spam calls thus far. If you have any more information on Bam Bam, call 866-597-2424, the number for 24PetWatch, a recovery service for missing pets. Authorities recommend not to call his name or chase him; instead, you can lure him with a treat or contact the Chicago Police at 312-746-6000. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
A Chicago man's support dog was stolen. Now the internet is desperate to bring 14-year-old dachshund mix Bam Bam home.
Owner Angel Santiago lost his sight entirely nearly three years ago and is asking for people to be on the lookout for Bam Bam. A stolen dog in Chicago is breaking hearts across the internet, and now there are rewards for information leading to the pup's safe return. On June 5, Bam Bam, a 14-year-old dachshund mix emotional support dog, was taken from his owner's backyard in the Chicago neighborhood of Logan Square, per reporting from Fox 32 Chicago. Angel Santiago, who is legally blind due to progressive glaucoma, had let Bam Bam out in the backyard to go to the bathroom when he heard two people enter. Santiago attempted to grab one of the suspects, but was unable to hold on to them. Santiago then said he heard Bam Bam barking, but that the sound got softer as the suspects, at least one of whom Santiago believes is a teenager who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt at the time, fled with the dog. It's unclear to Santiago if the individuals who seemingly took Bam Bam are men or women. Since then, there have been no leads on who took Bam Bam. Santiago, who also lives with diabetes and became completely blind nearly three years ago, now walks up to seven miles a day searching for his beloved dog, with volunteers also joining the search. He has also put up posters and stood outside of local grocery store Tony's Fresh Market with Bam Bam's leash and collar in hopes someone will come forward with information about the dog's whereabouts. "Bam Bam means the world to me and I feel my body draining away. I can only do so much. I promised that I will keep walking and walking, yelling his name out,' Santiago told Fox 32 Chicago. 'But if you could just help me with your own eyes and see if you could spot him for me. Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me please. I beg of you to help me.' The world wants to help Bam Bam come home Though Fox 32 Chicago reports that Santiago has denied any financial help, stating he just wants to bring Bam Bam home, a GoFundMe was started to provide aid in the search for Santiago's dog. Santiago is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Bam Bam's return. PETA is also offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the safe return of Bam Bam. And now, social media is spreading the word about Bam Bam as well. 'I mean this in the most disrespectful way possible: Whoever has Bam Bam, you better give him back right now,' one TikToker said in a recent video. 'What kind of evil person steals a dog from a blind person?' another asked in a video. 'Who steals a service dog? That is a working dog. Why would you steal it? That is insane to me. You deserve to be in jail.' Others have shared Santiago's missing poster, which includes a phone number people can call. Unfortunately, Santiago said he has only received fake tips and spam calls thus far. If you have any more information on Bam Bam, call 866-597-2424, the number for 24PetWatch, a recovery service for missing pets. Authorities recommend not to call his name or chase him; instead, you can lure him with a treat or contact the Chicago Police at 312-746-6000.
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Maine officials accused of covering up how adorable chocolate Labrador comfort dog was left to die in hot car
Maine officials still have not offered a full explanation for how an adorable emotional support dog was left to die in a state-owned vehicle back in May. Baxter, a three-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever, died on the afternoon of May 28 after he was found locked inside a Maine Department of Public Safety car. The vehicle was not running and had been parked at the Bangor Regional Communications Center. The temperature in Bangor that day reached a high of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. An independent investigation into Baxter's death started on June 18 and was opened by the Animal Welfare Program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. No conclusion has been reached more than a month later, though the investigation remains active. Daily Mail has approached the department for comment. Baxter was a comfort dog with the Department of Public Safety and frequently helped relieve the stress felt by regional emergency dispatchers. He was also prominently featured on the department's social media pages, leading to the entire state growing extremely fond of him. That's why there's been sustained outrage over his death months after it happened, with Mainers still demanding answers and accountability. He started working as a comfort dog for emergency responders in Maine back in 2022 after he was trained by a nonprofit organization Nearly 7,000 people have signed a petition calling for a 'full, transparent investigation into Baxter's death.' 'We want to know what went wrong, who was responsible, and what's being done to make sure it never happens again. Baxter deserved better, and so do the service animals still working across the state,' the petition read. A separate petition, bearing the names of just over 300 people, has asked the US government to step in a protect all service animals under federal law. It advocates for a change in the law so that if a service animal dies, the person responsible can face 'manslaughter or negligent homicide' charges. The car Baxter was left in stopped running at some point, causing the air conditioning to shut off, spokesperson Shannon Moss has previously said. She added that it wasn't clear why the vehicle shut off. Baxter's handler was Brodie Hinckley, director of the Maine Department of Public Safety Communications, Moss also said previously. She would not confirm if Hinckley was the one who left Baxter in the car the day he died. It also remains unclear if there is or will be a criminal investigation into the dog's death. Daily Mail has approached Moss for further comment. Baxter trained with Hero Pups before beginning his career as the state's first official comfort dog in 2022. Laura Barker, founder of Hero Pups, a nonprofit that provides support dogs to first responders, described Baxter as being 'a great dog with a love for life.' 'During the training process we go through a lot of the obedience, the dogmanship stuff, the handling, the transportation,' she told WABI5. 'We can make recommendations, but once the dog leaves us we don't have any say on that matter anymore.' 'I'm hoping this will get people talking and really be more committed to the care of the dogs on a broader scope, not just doing a job,' she added. She set up the organization to support veterans and first responders after her son was wounded in Afghanistan. Baxter, who came from a litter that needed constant care due to his mother's health issues, was the first comfort dog the organization sent to Maine.
