Man’s reunion with stolen dog shows importance of microchipping pets
Posted: Updated:A New Jersey man was reunited with his dog stolen a year ago thanks to a microchip that was inside of the pet.
John Tomasulo says that he was on his way back to New Jersey from Florida last year and stopped in Richmond, Virginia, for lunch. He says that his 11-year-old Yorkie Buddha was stolen during that time. He had raised the dog since it was 4 months old.
Tomasulo says that he had given up hope, but then received a message that his beloved pet was found.
“I got an email on Facebook saying he was microchipped and they found my dog,” Tomasulo says.
RELATED: Wall Township man's dog returned 1 year after being stolen
Four days later, volunteers from the Richmond Animal Care and Control drove Buddha back to John in New Jersey.
Monmouth County SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra says that the reunion may not have been possible if it weren’t for the microchip.
“It’s not a live unit inside the animal until a scanner activates it. It sends a signal out, it emits a number, we look the number up and then we can locate the dog once we look it up on the computer of who the company is and who the actual owner is,” Licitra says.
Licitra says that microchipping a pet is not very expensive – it usually costs around $20. But he says that it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
The Monmouth County SPCA will hold a free microchipping event for all pets on Saturday Jan. 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 260 Wall St. in Eatontown.
Top StoriesNewsMore>>
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
Investigators in Jersey City say three innocent civilians and a police detective were killed in Tuesday’s shootout – as well as the shooters that were later killed. Mayor Steven Fulop now says some of the victims may have been targeted.Investigators in Jersey City say three innocent civilians and a police detective were killed in Tuesday’s shootout – as well as the shooters that were later killed. Mayor Steven Fulop now says some of the victims may have been targeted.35 Jersey City police officers killed in line of duty since 1881
35 Jersey City police officers killed in line of duty since 1881
The death of Det. Joseph Seals in Tuesday’s shooting now brings the total to 35 Jersey City police officers killed in the line of duty since the department started keeping records in 1881.The death of Det. Joseph Seals in Tuesday’s shooting now brings the total to 35 Jersey City police officers killed in the line of duty since the department started keeping records in 1881.‘It's a tough day for Jersey City’: Gov. Murphy, Mayor Fulop remember fallen Jersey City detective
‘It's a tough day for Jersey City’: Gov. Murphy, Mayor Fulop remember fallen Jersey City detective
There are heavy hearts this morning for law enforcement in the area, and all around the country, after Det. Joseph Seals, a 15-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department, was killed in Tuesday’s shooting.There are heavy hearts this morning for law enforcement in the area, and all around the country, after Det. Joseph Seals, a 15-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department, was killed in Tuesday’s shooting.Police chief: Officers investigating 3 crime scenes involved in Jersey City shooting
Police chief: Officers investigating 3 crime scenes involved in Jersey City shooting
Jersey City Police Chief Mike Kelly said the cemetery, the stolen U-Haul truck and JC Kosher Supermarket are considered to be crime scenes.Jersey City Police Chief Mike Kelly said the cemetery, the stolen U-Haul truck and JC Kosher Supermarket are considered to be crime scenes.News 12 Lights Up the Holidays: Vote on the Top 12!
News 12 Lights Up the Holidays: Vote on the Top 12!
News 12 New Jersey wants to light up the holidays and we need your help!
News 12 New Jersey wants to light up the holidays and we need your help!
New Jersey SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Concert for The Rainforest Fund held at the Beacon Theatre
Concert for The Rainforest Fund held at the Beacon Theatre
Red carpet arrivals at The Concert for The Rainforest Fund at the Beacon TheatreThe Rainforest Fund 30th anniversary benefit concert was held Monday at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.Your New Jersey 2019 Holiday Photos
Your New Jersey 2019 Holiday Photos
From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The Download Photos
The Download Photos
The Royole FlexPai touts itself as "the world's first commercial foldable smartphone with flexible display."
Here are some of the latest tech items featured in the News 12 series The Download.
Here are some of the latest tech items featured in the News 12 series The Download.