Special Forces veteran’s missing dog found safe after crash

A service dog missing for more than two days after he ran off when the vehicle his owner was driving became involved in a crash in Kettering has been found and reunited with his owner.

Officials say Zeus, a German short-hair Pointer — two years old, weighing about 60 pounds — and his owner, a Special Forces veteran, were involved in a two-vehicle crash that ended with their vehicle into a pole at the intersection of East Dorothy Lane and Shroyer Road on Friday.

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Zeus ran from the crash that occurred just after 11 a.m. on Friday and had not been found until Monday morning, when an Oakwood family saw the dog and was able to make sure he was returned safely to his owner.

Oakwood police were able to transport Zeus to the veteran’s home. The veteran’s name had not been released.

Social media had become flooded with posts and tweets regarding Zeus, as local residents offered to volunteer their time to search for the missing dog.

FIRST REPORT: Veteran’s service dog missing after running off in Kettering crash

Dispatchers with Oakwood and Kettering noted a substantial number of calls had been placed by concerned citizens looking to help locate the dog and also expressing concern for the military veteran.

Zeus’ owner reportedly suffered a broken jaw as a result of the crash and reportedly was not willing to seek medical treatment until his dog was found, community members said.

Signs about Zeus being missing, as well as articles of clothing, were placed all around the Oakwood, Far Hills, and Oak Knoll areas where he was last seen.

Pet FBI Ohio, an organization founded in 1998, that gathers and publishes information about lost and found pets across the state, had more than 100 posts about Zeus from the time he was missing until the moment he was returned home.

“Hey Friends great news! Dad and Zeus are headed to the vet to have him checked out!,” the organization posted on its Facebook page.

Officials have not released an update on the owner’s condition or if he is willing to seek medical treatment now that Zeus has been found.

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