Lost Dog Finds A Happy Home In Howell Police K9 Family

HOWELL, NJ — Here's a doggone good tale to make you smile on National Dog Day.

The Howell Township K-9 patrol has a new friend this week, after one of its officers adopted a German shepherd who was found wandering this week in Howell.

Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said the dog, named Wolf, became part of the Howell PD family in an unusual way.

It seems Wolf was wandering loose on Georgia Tavern Road, where he was found on Sunday. He was brought to the police department and Kudrick put out an APB, social media-style, seeking the whereabouts of his owner. Wolf was described as being about a year old and wearing a black nylon collar.

Comments poured in. Names were suggested. Wolf didn't respond to any of them.

Rather than take the dog to the shelter, Kudrick said, K-9 Officer Nicholas Bondarew, whose partner is Jago, took Wolf in and cared for him while police continued to search for his owner.

"He was even evaluated to be a potential police service dog for us," Kudrick said, but the "evaluation proved he would just make a fantastic pet."

Despite days of efforts to locate the owner through contacts with the local shelters, sharing of the dog's photo on Facebook turned up nothing, he said. So K-9 Officer Michael Pavlick took him in and adopted him, giving him the name of Wolf, Kudrick said.

On Thursday, Wolf's owner called police headquarters, Kudrick said. It seems the owner had been in Florida on vacation, and Wolf had been left in the care of a relative, who did not realize the dog was missing until Thursday, Kudrick said.

The owner and Pavlick talked, Kudrick said, and the owner agreed to turn over Wolf to Pavlick permanently, Kudrick said.

"Wolf will now live the rest of his life with a great family," Kudrick said.

"Thank you to all those who cared about this dog," the chief said. "The comments, conversations, shares and overall sincere compassion for this kind animal was overwhelming. You guys are awesome!"

Photo of Wolf via Howell Township Police 911 Communications Facebook page