Dog found at Rockford shelter reunited with owner in Houston after five years

A dog found as a stray at Winnebago County Animal Services in Rockford was identified by a microchip and reunited with an owner in Houston who said the dog had gone missing on New Year's Eve 2020.

Bella arrived at Winnebago County Animal Services in Rockford as a stray. Staff scanned her microchip and contacted the owner listed. The owner, Sergio Torres, said Bella escaped a fenced backyard on New Year's Eve 2020. The family had searched locally and lost hope until the shelter called. Known details: - The dog was brought to a Winnebago County Animal Services facility in Rockford as a stray. - Shelter staff found a microchip that linked Bella to a family in Houston. - The family reported Bella escaped their fenced yard on New Year's Eve 2020 and had searched with flyers and door-to-door visits. - Owner Sergio Torres described an emotional reunion and said Bella showed recognition of his oldest son. - How Bella traveled from Texas to Illinois is still unknown. Summary: The reunion ended five years of separation and brought relief to the family. Undetermined at this time.