LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Neapolitan Mastiff at the Little Rock Animal Village (LRAV) was reunited with her owner Tuesday night.
According to the owner, the dog's name is Darla, and he provided pictures and paperwork showing ownership.
LRAV Manager Tracy Roark said it was a happy reunion.
"He approached the dog, and the dog cried for him," Roark said. "He cried. He put his face right in this dog's face, and no one around here could do that with this dog."
Darla came to the Little Rock Animal Village a few weeks ago after she was found roaming around the city. That's when Roark made it his mission to find the dog's owner.
"My job is to reunite families," Roark said.
A tip came into the shelter from a breeder who believed the dog was a part of her litter.
She helped Roark get a list of dogs bought from her, letting the shelter manager know someone was missing their pet.
Not only is Darla a unique breed, but LRAV employees said she had some aggressive tendencies toward strangers.
Roark said after watching the two reunite, there was no doubt the dog was happy to be with her owner.
"The owner put his face right in this dog's face and kissed him," Roark said. "Right on top of the head. Without backing off or anything."
The dog didn't have a microchip, but most dogs don't have to be in Little Rock. Roark said he might look into that.
"We have laws for cats and pit bulls, but we may look at the laws to see if all dogs should be microchipped," Roark said.
There is also a leash law in Little Rock. The shelter manager said the owner was cited for unleashing the dog in the city.