Post by Kona on May 8, 2005 11:55:28 GMT -5
Stealing a seeing eye dog and taking it for a "joy ride"? There are some freaky people out there:
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Mysterious caller reunites seeing eye dog and owner
By Sarah Hale
Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES -- Eric Brun-Sanglard and his best friend, a 5-year-old golden retriever named Legion, go everywhere together. Last July, the pair took a European vacation, exploring Amsterdam, Paris and the South of France.
Most days, though, Legion is at Brun-Sanglard's side as the architect walks construction sites and goes about his other duties.
That's because Legion is Brun-Sanglard's vision.
"He's my sight, my independence and my best friend," Brun-Sanglard, 38, of Los Angeles, said about his Seeing Eye dog. Brun-Sanglard has been blind for five years and has owned Legion for three. "I think some of my other friends are jealous."
It's little wonder, then, that Brun-Sanglard panicked Friday when, shortly after 6 p.m., he let Legion out to the front yard and the dog didn't return. And no wonder he was beside himself with joy when the dog was returned under mysterious circumstances early Monday morning.
"That sensation of becoming blind five years ago hit me all over again," Brun-Sanglard said of losing his dog. He went blind when his retinas detached because of an HIV-related virus.
The incident got heavy play on local television stations. Brun-Sanglard and roommate Steve Copeland, 37, circulated fliers in their neighborhood. Then they got word of another person circulating a "dog found" flier in the same area. The photos resembled Legion. Brun-Sanglard called the number and left a message.
About 1 a.m. Monday, a man called and left instructions for Brun-Sanglard to find the dog tied to a chain-link fence about six miles away, alone and unhurt.
"I was starting to lose hope," Brun-Sanglard said. "But there he was. He was so happy to see me."
Detective Stephen P. Brucher of the Los Angeles Police Department said police weren't sure if the dog had been stolen or became lost. The circumstances of his return prompted an investigation, Brucher said.
"The publicity surrounding the animal may have gotten too high and he became fearful," Brucher said of the person who returned Legion. "Or this could have been the act of a good Samaritan. We don't know."
Whatever the circumstance, Brun-Sanglard was happy to give Legion, who is worth $45,000, the day off Monday. He let the dog lounge around the house.
"He's a friendly dog, probably too friendly," Brun-Sanglard said. "All I could say when we found him was, 'Don't do that again.' "
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Mysterious caller reunites seeing eye dog and owner
By Sarah Hale
Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES -- Eric Brun-Sanglard and his best friend, a 5-year-old golden retriever named Legion, go everywhere together. Last July, the pair took a European vacation, exploring Amsterdam, Paris and the South of France.
Most days, though, Legion is at Brun-Sanglard's side as the architect walks construction sites and goes about his other duties.
That's because Legion is Brun-Sanglard's vision.
"He's my sight, my independence and my best friend," Brun-Sanglard, 38, of Los Angeles, said about his Seeing Eye dog. Brun-Sanglard has been blind for five years and has owned Legion for three. "I think some of my other friends are jealous."
It's little wonder, then, that Brun-Sanglard panicked Friday when, shortly after 6 p.m., he let Legion out to the front yard and the dog didn't return. And no wonder he was beside himself with joy when the dog was returned under mysterious circumstances early Monday morning.
"That sensation of becoming blind five years ago hit me all over again," Brun-Sanglard said of losing his dog. He went blind when his retinas detached because of an HIV-related virus.
The incident got heavy play on local television stations. Brun-Sanglard and roommate Steve Copeland, 37, circulated fliers in their neighborhood. Then they got word of another person circulating a "dog found" flier in the same area. The photos resembled Legion. Brun-Sanglard called the number and left a message.
About 1 a.m. Monday, a man called and left instructions for Brun-Sanglard to find the dog tied to a chain-link fence about six miles away, alone and unhurt.
"I was starting to lose hope," Brun-Sanglard said. "But there he was. He was so happy to see me."
Detective Stephen P. Brucher of the Los Angeles Police Department said police weren't sure if the dog had been stolen or became lost. The circumstances of his return prompted an investigation, Brucher said.
"The publicity surrounding the animal may have gotten too high and he became fearful," Brucher said of the person who returned Legion. "Or this could have been the act of a good Samaritan. We don't know."
Whatever the circumstance, Brun-Sanglard was happy to give Legion, who is worth $45,000, the day off Monday. He let the dog lounge around the house.
"He's a friendly dog, probably too friendly," Brun-Sanglard said. "All I could say when we found him was, 'Don't do that again.' "