‘Shocked and grateful’: Arrest leads Brockton family to find its dog missing over 3 months

Amelia Stern, The Enterprise
·2 min read
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BROCKTON — A Brockton family was reunited with its beloved family dog Speedy after she went missing more than three months ago, police said.

On Monday, Feb. 5, Speedy was found safe in the back seat of a vehicle after Brockton police Sgt. Adam Rees made a traffic stop that lead to the arrest of the 32-year-old operator for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, trespassing, operating to endanger and driving without a license, Brockton police spokesperson Darren Duarte said.

According to Brockton Animal Control, Brockton police contacted them to come get the then unidentified dog after the arrest was made.

“After picking up the dog, our officers had scanned it for a microchip and the chip came back as Speedy!” Brockton Animal Control wrote in a post on Facebook. “We contacted the family right away and they were in disbelief and beyond happy.”

The family had been searching for its beloved family pet since she was reported missing in November 2023.

Speedy’s owner, Ralph Tilghman, told Brockton police he could not wait to see his best friend and picked her up at the animal shelter earlier than planned.

Brockton family's missing dog Speedy reunited with owner Ralph Tilghman at Brockton Animal Shelter.
Brockton family's missing dog Speedy reunited with owner Ralph Tilghman at Brockton Animal Shelter.

"I'm shocked and grateful," Tilghman said. "My 5-year-old daughter questioned me last week whether we would ever see Speedy again."

With Speedy safely back home with her family, Brockton Animal Control points out a few important lessons that could help other lost animals and their families have a similar happy ending.

“Microchips work! If it wasn't for the registered chip Speedy may never have made it back home. If your animal goes missing, please contact animal control and make a report. Finally, if you find a lost dog, report it to either animal control or the police department,” the department wrote. “We are happy that Speedy has been reunited with her family, and hope she gets spoiled with all the pets and treats she deserves.”

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton family reunited with lost dog after monthslong search