Missing Dog, Bailey, Home Safe After Dramatic Rescue On Highway

SAG HARBOR, NY — It was the happiest of reunions for a Sag Harbor woman whose dog, Bailey, was found safe after having been missing for 18 days.

According to Carol Holley, who had been working with Bailey — a rescue from Puerto Rico — at the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons and had only had him home for a week when he ran out the door, the story of how he was found was nothing short of miraculous.

"It was an insane, crazy finale," she said. Bailey was finally found in front of Carvel on Route 27–Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, about six miles from home; Long Island Lost Dog Search & Rescue said they believed he'd been hiding in his "safe" spot from the first day.

Holley said Bailey had been spotted by Kellis Pond and Carvel and she and others had been watching him, hoping to catch him, since Friday, after a call came in about a possible sighting. Neighbors in the area were "super nice" about the traps that were set up, Holley added. After the first call, individuals from her landscaping company also saw Bailey, she said.

Bailey had eaten at the food stations that were set up and even ventured close to the trap; he was heading to the trap when a car "spooked him," and he took off toward Montauk Highway Holley said.

"I blocked him with my car," she said. "Then he went back to his safe spot, came back out, and got back on Route 27."

What happened next was an incredible display of humanity and heart, Holley said.

"Cars stopped, pulled over. People were jumping out and helping. The help from strangers was insane. One of the trappers did a dive on Route 27 to try to get him," she said.

Bailey ran through traffic before he veered back into the woods; he was heading back to his safe spot when Teddy Henn, the trapper, was finally able to catch him.

"I've never seen anything like this," Holley said.

Long Island Lost Dog Search & Rescue thanked Holley, "who never gave up," Doug Cunningham, Barbara Jude Freichs, who helped for 18 days, Patricia DeMott Dussault, and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.

"We also would like to thank every person on Montauk Highway who helped during the chaos and everyone in the community who was searching for Bailey. Bailey is a little scratched up but is extremely happy to be home," Long Island Lost Dog Search & Rescue said.