One of the biggest fears for any dog owner out there is that our beloved pet will one day get themselves into a spot of mischief and they'll find themselves out in the big wide world without us. The moment you have a dog, you become obsessed with shutting doors and closing gates to ensure your pooch doesn't end up being picked up by the local pound - or worse.
But sadly, many factors can lead to our furry four-legged friends being separated from their families. For example, Samara Moses was shocked to find that her 10-year-old dog named Kobe had ran away from their home in Austin, Chicago, after he was spooked by some nearby Independence Day fireworks on July 5.
Per the Metro, Moses searched frantically for Kobe, quickly putting out appeals online. However, because Kobe was never microchipped, Symara and her family knew the odds were stacked against them.
But after discovering that Kobe was safe, they soon found out they may never get their dog back:Fortunately, Kobe was indeed safe, after being found by rescue workers the following day. The pooch was then taken in by a local shelter called Fetching Tails, totally unbeknownst to Symara and her family. After being brought in, Kobe was neutered, microchipped, and treated for an ear infection within the space of three days. Unbelievably, Kobe was also adopted by a completely new family in the 72-hour timeframe.
Per CBS Chicago, after the Moses family discovered that Kobe had been adopted by another family, they have since tried desperately to get him back. Symara even approached Fetching Tails at a fundraiser on Wednesday, only to be sent a cease and desist letter by the group’s lawyer informing her that her family were not to attempt to contact them or their employees ever again.
Moses has hopes that she would be able to meet Kobe's new owners in order to discuss the matter and reach a resolution. Speaking to CBS Chicago, she said: "I have never experienced this in my life. This is so hard."
After seeing the Moses family's story on TV, local councilor Alderman Raymond Lopez has since spoken out in support of the family. Speaking to Symara about Kobe, Lopez said: "That’s a family member that they’re holding hostage right now."
"For the City of Chicago to do business with partners like that, who don’t want to be questioned for their actions. That’s not something I’m comfortable with."
Fetching Tails' lawyer, Andre Wrighte, has responded to the controversy, saying: "The new owners are aware of what’s been going on. But none of that matters. There is a legal contract." According to Wrighte, the new owners have no interest in meeting with the Moses family.
Nevertheless, Lopez has said he plans on calling Wrighte to ensure a meeting does take place: "And if they pursue this whole, 'We’re doing our legal best, don’t bother us anymore,' I will be happy to tell them I’m not confident in their abilities to be good partners with the residents of the City of Chicago."
Lopez now wants to introduce new laws that would force Chicago Animal Care and Control to hold animals in shelters for a minimum of seven days, rather than the current three-day limit that has effected the Moses family.
