Search for Linus and Dexter, The Riverside Basset Hounds, Has Ended

The Riverside family who’s been looking for their missing basset hounds Linus and Dexter received devastating news Thursday.

The canines that have been missing since Jan. 9 were found along the Metro-North Railroad tracks near the Riverside train station. The dogs were hit by a train, according to their owner Kristin Taylor. “They were together,” Taylor said.

“Someone on the train spotted something on the tracks. It sounds as if she knew of the missing dogs, as she called (Greenwich) Animal Control,” according to Taylor. “Animal Control and a Metro-North representative went out and found them, between Riverside and Old Greenwich.”

The canine cousins — pure breds adopted by the Taylor family — went on the lam sometime during the late evening of Jan. 9, using the doggie door to access the family’s yard. Inexplicably, the driveway gate to the fenced in yard was open, allowing the dogs to leave — probably following a scent as bassets are wont to do.

Taylor said she and her three sons — ages 12, 15 and 17 — adopted Linus in December after he was retired from his show dog career. The family had hoped to have him home for his first birthday this week.The family has owned Linus’s cousin, Dexter since he was 10 weeks old.

Despite hours of searching on their own and an outpouring of community support since news of the dogs disappearance was first reported by Greenwich Patch, there weren’t any leads to the dogs whereabouts. Through social media, dozens of dog rescue and basset hound groups, and local organizations shared the adorable photo of Linus and Dexter, in hopes of the dogs’ safe return.

Taylor was concerned the dogs accessed the railroad or possibly crossed over the frozen Mianus River into Cos Cob.

Taylor said on Thursday, “Our yard is on the train line, but completely fenced off, as are our neighbors’. It is unclear where they accessed the tracks.”

While Taylor and her three sons mourn the loss of Linus and Dexter, she said, “I am using the reward money to make a donation to Greenwich Animal Control, who were so supportive and helpful throughout out the process.”

Taylor added, “We want to thank the community for the overwhelming support.”

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Photo courtesy of Kristin Taylor. Linus, left, with his cousin Dexter.

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