The Texas Critter Crusaders say they would not have been able to reunite the pit bull without a microchip implanted in his back.
TAYLOR, Texas — A nonprofit near Taylor said it picked up a pit bull named Sebastian on Sunday, along with other dogs in need.
After a microchip was discovered on the pit bull’s back, a search began to reunite Sebastian with his owner.
Melanie Radtke, co-founder of the Texas Critter Crusaders, said people started sharing and posting information about Sebastian after she posted it on the lost and found pet group. .
“We formed a lost pet search group,” said Melanie Radtke, co-founder of Texas Critter Crusaders. “People started posting about him and (someone) volunteered to scan him to get a chip.
The chip was registered to Derrick Hancock at Fort Hood, but his contact information was a dead end. Radtke said after a little research, she found his Facebook page and sent him a message.
“First he texted me and it was just in all caps, ‘Oh my god.’ I thought he was dead,” Hancock said.
At first, Hancock said, her mind went blank. He said he couldn’t believe his best friend was still alive.
Hancock said her mind went blank when she saw the message. He said he couldn’t believe his best friend was still alive.
“He was my only best friend. He was my only man,” Hancock said.
Sebastian’s birth story began in 2018 when Hancock adopted him as “Buck” from the Killeen Animal Shelter. After being stationed at Fort Hood, Hancock said he needed a buddy. As soon as Hancock saw Buck, he said he knew.
But a year later, Hancock said he was deployed to Iraq and left Buck with his then-partner. In the month he was gone, their relationship became strained.
“Then I got a random call and they said, ‘Oh, Buck’s gone,'” Hancock said.
Hancock was told that Buck had to be put down for being aggressive because he was caught by animal control for attacking a cat when he passed out. No one came to pick him up, so Hancock thought Buck was gone.
“It’s like losing a child,” Hancock said.
But Raske said someone must have saved Buck before that happened.
“My theory is that someone in the neighborhood is taking care of him, but they’re just not keeping him safe,” Laske said.
Without the microchip, Buck would never have been found, Laske said. She said she strongly recommends microchipping pets because it can save lives and reunite families.
“I always tell people, never give up hope. Even if you’re missing a pet, never give up hope,” Radtke said.
On Sunday, Buck plans to reunite with Hancock, who now lives in Virginia, for the first time in five years.
“I can’t get excited until he’s in my arms,” Hancock said. “That’s when I knew he was back safely. He’s here with me. We’re back together and we can really be a family.”
If you are interested in having your pet chipped, Texas Critter Crusaders is hosting free microchipping events in Taylor and surrounding areas.
