After going missing more than three months ago, a dog that provides emotional support for a 4-year-old boy with disabilities was reunited with his family last week.
On May 13, Macks, a French bulldog/beagle mix, went missing from the family’s Potomac home, according to Montgomery County police. The family searched for Macks for three months and had nearly given up hope.
Police said neighbors reported seeing Macks being picked up by a landscaping crew working in the neighborhood, and the family offered a $2,000 reward for Macks’ safe return.
Last week, someone — who asked police to remain anonymous — contacted the family, claiming to have found Macks and wanting to collect the reward. Police met with the person on Friday and recovered Macks and returned him home.
“Ensuring additional heartbreak did not occur to this young boy weighed heavy on the officers,” police wrote in a news release Tuesday afternoon about the care taken in arranging a meeting to reclaim the dog.
Macks provides emotional support for the child, according to news reports. The boy has a rare genetic disorder, Coffin-Lowry syndrome, that causes skeletal abnormalities and developmental delays. Macks was trained to help keep the boy calm.
The family could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
