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The Way This Man Was Reunited With His Impounded Dog Because of a Touching Photo Will Tug at Your Heart

Feb. 20, 2013 9:38am Liz Klimas

A California man with only $6 in his pocket lost his dog last week when he was arrested for marijuana (he later showed he had a prescription). Heartbroken, he visited the animal shelter everyday where the dog was impounded — and one woman who spotted him crying at the cage changed everything for him.

Viral Facebook Photo Helps San Bernardino Man Dave Thomas Get His Dog Back From Shelter

Dave Thomas with his dog Buzz. (Photo: Maria Sanchez/Facebook)

Dave Thomas from San Bernardino told the San Bernardino Sun “it made [him] crazy” that he couldn’t afford the $400 it would cost to release the pit bull mix named Buzz Lightyear.

When Maria Sanchez, a woman the Sun reported visits the shelter daily to take photos for awareness efforts, posted a picture of Thomas and Buzz holding hands (er, hand and paw) at the cage, it went viral. Not only did Thomas receive enough money to free Buzz — $2,000 was raised as of Tuesday — but the Sun noted it also resulted in a job offer and a marriage proposal.

Maria Sanchez with Thomas (Photo: Gabriel Luis Acosta/San Bernadino Sun)

“It’s just incredible,” Thomas told the Sun. “I believe it’s for my dog and not me.”

Watch this report from KTLA:

But there was a twist when it came to the donations pouring in — where to find the man who left none of his information with the shelter. The Sun reported that some were incorrectly stating Thomas was homeless, which is not the case. That’s where the photo took another viral turn. Instead of raising money, it was shared by more than 3,500 people on Facebook to see if anyone could help find Thomas, the Sun reported. It was reporters who were able to locate him.

Watch KABC catch up with Thomas earlier this week:

Thomas was hoping to get Buzz back Tuesday, but the Sun reported that the shelter wouldn’t release the dog until he was neutered. KTLA reported that Buzz would be able to go home Wednesday.

Thomas with still at the shelter. (Photo: Gabriel Luis Acosta/San Bernadino Sun)

The Sun reported that Thomas was arrested last week for possession of marijuana, but also noted he showed papers indicating he was allowed to use the drug for medicinal purposes. Thomas was initially stating he was arrested for failing to appear in court over traffic tickets, but law enforcement said this was not the case.

Police told the Sun removal of the dog was standard procedure as there was no one around to take care of it upon Thomas’ arrest Friday.

The San Bernardino Sun has more heartfelt pictures of Thomas with Buzz and his reaction to the outpouring of support he has received here.

Watch this footage of Thomas after he had found out he would be able to get Buzz back:

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Comments (149)

CitizenCindy
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:41am
Blanket statements such as “if you don’t spay/neuter you’re part of the problem,” & “there’s no good reason to keep a dog intact,” etc., are false, arrogant & pure propaganda. Some of my pets (dogs & cats) were altered, others not & there was a good, educated decision behind each, individual choice.

First, responsible pet parents don’t raise pets to be strays & they don’t put their pets in “compromising” situations with the opposite gender. Second, there are legitimate health reasons to at least delay altering until the animal is fully matured & different breeds mature at different rates. (Naysayers may want me to quote my health references, but I don’t have the time to cite my 1″ thick, paper file. Please do your own research.) For example, I have 18 combined years experience with giant breed, English Mastiffs & none of my males reach full maturity til 4 to 5 yrs. Only one was neutered before age 4 & none ever reproduced. I am not a breeder & I know this for a fact, because I supervise(d) them.

Bottom line, to spay/neuter is a responsible owner’s choice & the shelter facility in this story should refund this man for knowingly neutering a dog taken from his home who was obviously not an unwanted stray. Unfortunately, this is classic “big government gone amok” (legalized pot, false arrest for having pot, animal control “experts” gone wild.) Kalifornia should be proud. *sarc* Just glad the man & dog were reunited.

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SaraNYC
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:12pm
And now this guy has turned around and threatened to sue this woman that did so much for him, incurring costs on her personal card, etc. What a POS

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Dangerous Freedom
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:25am
The horrid thing is, this goes on all the time – not just with dogs, but with cars, property etc. Police confiscate things things all the time and often trash it. They will stop you for minor infractions and even nothing at all, and take or destroy your things – to get them back, you have to pay fines. Sometimes the fines are huge.

I remember a few years ago NY was confiscating cars of people who bought fireworks in PA for the fourth. They take homes, cars, guns – first time I’ve seen them taking a dog, but hey, why not? It’s $400. It’s a kind of legal moneymaking tyranny. The SCOTUS has said so. Try this one: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090322/LOCAL/303229940/-1/LOCAL11

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patriotsofworkingamerica
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:40am
This is a perfect example of a broke county in a broke state in a broke nation. THANK GOD there are still good citizens around that will fix the problems once this broke government is abolished!!!!

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OhNavyMom
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:32am
I AM IN DOG RESCUE, HERE’S FACEBOOK POST FROM MARIA SANCHEZ, WOMAN WHO HELPED THIS MAN & HIS DOG – (not all – due to character limitation)
DAVE AND BUZZ UPDATE:
VOICEMAIL FROM DAVE THOMAS THREATENING TO SUE ME :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfvuk6ju9Mk

I just got a phone call from KTLA channel 5. Apparently, Dave has called to inform them that I am keeping the money raised for his dog. I have transferred $842.07 into my bank to reimburse myself for the shelter fees, vet and PetSmart shopping spree that I put onto my personal credit card. I had a discussion regarding the remainder of the donations and how he would like to spend them. I said it would be a good idea to pay off any outstanding tickets so that he will not be taken to jail in the future for having a warrant for unpaid traffic tickets. I asked if he had any bills that were due at the time. I told him that every dime that was donated would go to him and Buzz, but that I would not be giving him the cash. I explained to him that the money that was donated was a blessing for him, I wanted to be sure that we respected that and used the donations responsibly. He sat next to me and nodded his head, Not one response, question or concern.

After I hung up with KTLA channel 5, I tried to call Dave. His wife would not let me speak to him. She screamed at me that I was stealing their dog’s money. She said they have called the news stations and that if I did not give them their money, they were going to call th

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BookMDanno
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:39am
How the heck do you get arrested for marijuana possession…in California of all places…? Has the world gone mad?

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dragonasbreath
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:56pm
to bad this kind of thing doesn’t happen more often.

I, too, dislike the shelters demanding that all adopted pets be neutered (all of ours are, but that’s by OUR choice). There are reasons for leaving some animals unfixed – especially if it is a family pet that has been unfairly jailed and they are working on getting them bailed out.

By and large, those who adopt from shelters are going to be more responsible than those who simply keep the babies from their current pets, but …… I DO understand about neutering the wild population though – as well as adopting them when it is possible. (Very few feral animals are actually adoptable, but Sheila decided she liked what she found and none of us have ever regretted the decision – she was about 4 months at the time, judging from her being all legs and tail But when it works, it works)

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noahs_mom
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:23pm
I was emailed a link to the huffpost to see this story. I expected the comments I saw on their site, but I’m shocked and disappointed that there are so many on this site that don’t seem to know or understand the dilemma shelter workers have to contend with at no fault of their own. *Scroll down to my other comment for an education. Just try to remember that shelter workers are there because they love and want the best for animals. I’m sure there are a few exceptions….very few. The horror is placed on those who love them most. What I saw and had to do will haunt me forever and it has taken me years to overcome my detest for people who breed or buy,….and of course abuse, and I’ve only done that by telling myself constantly that “they just don’t know any better…they don’t know the truth.” I try to educate anytime I feel people can handle it. How often is there a simple solution to a major problem? And with animal overpopulation it is simple…..don’t breed or buy while others die. Every day I wish someone with media power and respect….like Glenn or Rush or gulp….Opra, would “get it” and spread the word. Think of the impact they could make. Yeh I know, they’ve all bought dogs, but I can dream can’t I? ( geez….I think Opra even bred hers )

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koobee
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:21pm
Police state.
Next = take human manhood.

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chitstirrer
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 8:53pm
Just another reason why I hate California.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:32pm
Got pulled over, had an unpaid ticket. Had my dog with me. Cop was an A-hole and wanted to take me in and have my dog impounded. The station was less than 2 blocks away and all I had to do was pay and leave. Animal control showed up. That cop was an a-hole. I’m yelling from the back seat of the patrol car (heheh), Told that cop he’d have more trouble than who could imagine if he touched my dog. Screamed to the ‘dog catcher’ my dog didn’t do anything and i’d be back in 20- minutes to an hour tops, no permission whatsoever to touch my dog. I knew he’d be locked up overnight wondering what he did to be put in a cage in an unfamiliar place with other stressed dogs in cages. NO WAY, even though my dog would probably think it was a party! Finally the cop wised up!
Was on my way in 25 minutes. That dog feared nothing anyway. He loved the vet, would jump on the table with his tail wagging for his shots. Never a wimper. Had his own boat too.

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ellietoo
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:18pm
Now I know for sure they are totally off their rocker in California. Why do they hold the dog hostage because the guy was put in jail illegally? They made laws that said people could have pot if they had an RX so why did they arrest him in the first place? It did not cost that shelter $400.00 to hold the dog for a few days. Do they have laws that say dogs have to be spayed and neutered there too? We can’t even get people to license their dogs here! So the guy is messed up! Dogs love humans even when they are messed up. Too bad people can’t have the same attitude.

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- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:35pm
  They said they had to neuter him before he got him back. What a load of crapp. Might be a good idea, but not theirs to decide. Neither is the 400$ really. It’s bad publicity I would think.
  
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Larry E
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:26pm
Glad that he got his dog back! If someone took my dog I’d feel the same way he did.

Kalifornia along with NY and a few other states run by, for, and apparently because of progresso-commies need to be seceded from the union. Kick ‘em out, let ‘em join Canada or Mexico, or band together to be another useless little country full of whiners and jerks.

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piper60
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:21pm
This dog is obviously what keeps the man going. Kudos to who ever took the photos and posted them.

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Gizmodo
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:04pm
The reality is that this man and his dog were wronged. Perhaps the police thought they were doing the right thing at the time (and I am sure they did) but the shelter should have been compensated by the city/county once it was learned that he was arrested wrongly. They did, after all, take the pet in, feed and shelter it. However, this man should NOT have had to let his dog languish in a cage until he could come up with the $400 that he did not rightfully incur. Also, for those of you who are so pro-neutering in this situation –do you really think the government should FORCE you to do such a thing? Giving the option is great but as someone above said — what happens when they force the sterilization on all the little ones we love so much? Bottom line for me — Government mandated sterilization for anything/anyone gives me the creeps. Gotta look long term.

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