Stolen, deaf dog is back with owner over a year later. See the heartwarming reunion
Months of persistent searching for a deaf dog who was taken from his Alabama home led to a happy reunion after police said the dog was found across the country in Arizona.
Rags, a 2-year-old sheepdog, disappeared from his home Dec. 8, 2023, according to Facebook posts and the Town of Silverhill Police Department.
A doorbell camera video, shared with WALA in December 2023, shows a man wearing a ski mask entering the house in Silverhill, about a 25-mile drive southeast from Mobile, then walking out while holding Rags by the collar.
After calling the police, Olivia Gardner, Rags’ owner, went to check an Apple Air Tag for the dog’s last location but only found the collar with the device was removed, the news outlet reported.
“I won’t stop until I have him home,” Gardner wrote in a Dec. 15, 2023, Facebook post. “There’s nothing in this world I love more than my animals and family.”
The search for Rags
Over the next year, Gardner contacted rescue shelters, posted on social media, created online fundraisers and offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of finding Rags.
In a Facebook group called “Rags Search Force,” over 900 members actively searched for the dog — sharing potential leads as well as prayers for his return.
“As a fur momma to a born deaf dog, my heart breaks for them! I know my boy relies heavily on me and our specific training,” one person posted in the group. “Heard about this story all the way up in Knoxville, TN!”
Several people commented on Gardner’s posts, showing their support.
“I’ve always been concerned about someone stealing my dog out of the yard, but never walking up to the house and opening the door and stealing them. This is so upsetting,” one person said.
Good news comes
On Dec. 26, 2024, Rags was finally found 1,642 miles away at a residence in Arizona, authorities said.
The Silverhill Police Department contacted the Maricopa Police Department after receiving a tip that the dog was in Arizona, Arizona’s Family reported.
“It wasn’t until we were able to verify that micro chip number with the serial number from the original paperwork from Alabama PD, that’s what definitely told us this is Rags,” Maricopa Police Sgt. Chance Jordan told the outlet.
In a Dec. 27 update, Gardner said Rags was found safe. A few days later, the two were reunited.
“I have so many thank you’s to make but I just don’t have all the words yet,” Gardner said in a Dec. 29 Facebook post. “All I can say is that Rags is safe and sleeping on my lap as I post this.”
The motive of the suspected dog-napping is still unclear, according to police.
“This investigation remains open and ongoing with suspects in several states that have been identified,” police said.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Stolen, deaf dog is back with owner over a year later. See the heartwarming reunion."
