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Dog returns home on its own after visually impaired owner gets killed in hit-and-run

Service dog Patch, who was uninjured, left the scene of the tragedy on his own and was found at the front door of a neighbor’s apartment

BY ARUNAVA CHAKRABARTY

PUBLISHED MAR 28, 2023

Patch left the scene of the tragedy on his own and walked himself home (Facebook/WSMV 4, Nashville)

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: A pet dog returned home on his own after his visually challenged owner was killed in a hit-and-run. The unfortunate incident took place on March 22 when Patch, a dog of mixed breed, was with his visually impaired owner while on a walk in Nashville, Tennessee. The poor pooch is now in need of a new family.

A Ford F150 struck her, according to NBC affiliate WSMV. The owner was taken to the local hospital Skyline Medical Center soon after the incident but was pronounced dead. Patch, who was uninjured, left the scene of the tragedy on his own and walked himself home. He was found at the front door of a neighbor’s apartment.

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Where is Patch now?

Patch is currently in the care of Metro Animal Control and they are yet to hear from the victim’s family about taking on the dog.

Metro Animal Control's statement

“(If left unclaimed), we would assess him to help determine what would be his best outcome, whether that is adoption or placing with a rescue group or some other option,” Metro Animal Control rep Matthew Peters told WSMV. “We have had a few rescue groups reach out about him already. It does appear he might have had a life as a service dog, in which case a rescue that works with service animals could be a good match for him. That’s all kind of premature at this point, though, as right now, our main focus is still on locating his family.”

Metro Animal Control is asking the community or anyone with information regarding the case to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Woman warns others after pup's death

MEAWW previously reported that a mother warned other dog parents following the death of her seven-month-old pooch from an unknown illness just days after taking a stroll in the park. Chloe Vickers went out for a walk with her pup Oscar, who was a crossbreed between a Poodle and an English Springer Spaniel, to Wythenshawe Park in Greater Manchester on February 9. However, Oscar started to get sick within a few hours and died at home with his family just three days after visiting the park. Vickers has since taken the help of social media to alert other dog owners to be very careful while taking their pets out on walks and to look out for any signs of sickness. Manchester City Council said they are aware of the issue. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) also advised people to contact the vets immediately if they experience something similar with their pets.