Sukie, the shelter pup, was discovered safe and sound—though very malnourished—more than a month after fleeing from a New Jersey airport.
On September 15, NJ.com reported that the 6-year-old Labrador retriever mix escaped her box while being unloaded from an aircraft at Newark Liberty International Airport. The puppy arrived in New Jersey after being brought there from Puerto Rico’s Amigos de los Animales shelter. She was on her way to New York to live with her foster family.
Sukie was ultimately located by tracker Jim Tierney after weeks of searching. Tierney was successful by putting up a trap near the airport and using food to entice Sukie to the smell, according to WNYW. Tierney informed the news site that he utilized a total of six cameras in various areas to try to locate her. He eventually captured her on Oct. 17 along some train tracks near the airport.
Adri Galler Lastra, director of Amigos de los Animales, rushed from Puerto Rico to New Jersey to pick up Sukie and assist in her recuperation after learning she had been located. Sukie, although being exceedingly skinny, seemed to be in good health and was overjoyed to meet a familiar acquaintance.
“She’s just skin and bones.” “But she’s happy and she smiles,” Galler Lastra told NJ.com.
Magie Lugo, a shelter volunteer, accompanied Galler Lastra on the journey to New Jersey. Sukie remained with Lago as she recovered from her hectic month. Lago told NJ.com that she is “overwhelmed with joy” that the shelter dog has been recovered.
Sukie’s former owner, Michael Compton, told WNYW that he rescued her in Puerto Rico. He rescued Sukie and other dogs that were about to be thrown out “like trash.” After his wife grew ill, he was forced to surrender Sukie to the shelter.
Sukie will soon have a happy ending since she will be adopted by a woman who never recovered her lost dog, according to WNYW.