Lost golden retriever reunited with family after five-day search

A bit of fried chicken helped Animal Control officers capture Kiki.

By Observer Staff
| 7:37 p.m. October 27, 2022

Kiki is reunited with owner Lass David and other family members. Courtesy photo

Palm Coast Observer
News

With the help of a little fried chicken, Animal Control officers caught a golden retriever that had been missing for five days, reuniting her with her family.

Locals called Animal Control Oct. 19 reporting a loose retriever on Reynolds Place, but bystanders couldn’t catch the dog, and Animal Control officers couldn’t find her, according to a city of Palm Coast press release.

Over coming days, locals shared pictures of sightings through social media.

Animal Control officers identified the dog’s owner, Lass David, who said her dog Kiki went missing Oct. 19.

On Oct. 23, Animal Control Officer Shelley Burton was tipped off about a new Kiki sighting. Burton set two kennel-style traps — baiting them with fried chicken — covered them with debris, and waited.

By evening, the scent of chicken had drawn the hungry pooch.

Kiki was scared, but Burton set the dog’s mind at ease with a fried chicken treat and reunited her with her family.

“Reuniting a pet with their family is an indescribable feeling of joy and happiness,” Burton said. “I attribute success stories like this to our amazing team and our great relationship with our residents, who love animals just as much as we do.”