Owner of Vernon/Spikey is located

 The German Shepherd mix rescued by the Los Angeles fire fighters last week has been claimed by his owner, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Turns out Vernon is actually Spikey.

A family friend of an elderly Maywood woman went to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority on Tuesday to claim the dog, whom firefighters had named Vernon, after the city where the dog was rescued.

"And Vernon just went crazy, his tail flapping," said Aaron Reyes, director of operations. "We see it all the time: Gosh, he really knows this guy."

Although animal control officials questioned why it took so long for the family to come forward to claim the dog, whose real name is Spikey, the friend said the owner speaks only Spanish and missed extensive TV coverage of the Jan. 22 rescue. A friend eventually pointed it out to them a few days later, Reyes said.

"It didn't get a lot of play on Spanish-language TV," he said.

Animal control officials visited the Maywood home, checked the dog's license and spoke with the owner. They also spoke with neighbors and learned that Spikey's "brother," a yellow Labrador named Polo, was picked up by animal control the day after the rescue after being found walking down a street, Reyes said.

The owner thinks her grandchildren may have left the backyard gate open, letting the dogs loose. Polo will be released to the owner once the backyard is cleaned up, Reyes said. 

So it would seem that Spikey's Grand Adventure has come to an end. With his Dog Memory he might remember the family friend, but he probably won't remember why he shouldn't leave his yard.

Comments

[Khyra]

Nope, I bet he won't remember why he shouldn't leave his yard...

I bet there is some SIBERIAN in Spikey!

Paws khrossed his people realise they've been given the gift of a sekhond chance -

We khan't argue with the happy tail he used to show he was happy to see them -

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[YesBiscuit]

Don't leave the gate open again grandkids - you might cause an international incident!

[jackie]

they leave the gate open again and he's gone..glad he found his way home

[Jimmy]

I love happy endings!

[Jimboster]

Yeah, Spikey has a home, but what about the poor pooch in the cage next to him in this picture. Help save Rufus! He's a good pup, too.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/01/vernon-dog-rescue-la-river.html

[Karen Friesecke]

Spikey also has a "brother" that got out of the yard, as well. His name is Polo and he was picked up by animal control, too. Now both doggies are back with their owners!

[Rooster Shamblin]

http://roostershamblin.wordpress.com/ would you please spend a few minutes checking out my blog. I am a farmer who has been raising over 50 breeds of chickens for forty years.

[Poodle]

Hi,
I am doing research for a project about dogs and found your blog very informative. Thanks