Search On For Dog Injured After Being Hit by Car in Hampton Bays

HAMPTON BAYS, NY - The search is on for a dog in Hampton Bays who was injured Saturday after being hit by a car.

Nacho was out with a walk with his owner, Christopher LoMonaco of Hampton Bays, when a driver swerved and hit the dog, Aimee LoMonaco, Christopher's wife said.

The frightened, and possibly injured, pup, who is only a year old, ran off into the woods.

LoMonaco, who had been home with his family, was afraid the driver would "kill someone," Aimee said, and sprang into action. He got into his car, called the police, and followed the driver who, he says, hit his dog. An accident ensued at 9:03 p.m. on Douglas Court, police said.

Southampton Town Police arrested Gary R. Henkin, 56, of Hampton Bays for DWI, a misdemeanor, police said; LoMonaco was also charged with DWI, police said.

LoMonaco's attorney, Barry Feldman, said his client's whole aim was to help and prevent anyone else from being hurt.

On Tuesday, Southampton Town Police Sgt. Susan Ralph said there was no mention of the dog being hit in the police report.

But the heartbreaking fact remains that Nacho is still missing, Aimee said.

Nacho, who is friendly and loves other dogs, is a neutered male, one year old, with the look of a whippet, and an arched back. He's about 40 pounds, and is beige and brown, with a black and white marking on his snout, she said. He was wearing a blue collar and two tags that jingle, she said.

The LoMonaco family lives on Red Creek Ridge; at around 8 p.m., she said, her husband was out walking right in front, just about 10 and 15 feet from their home when the driver swerved. Her husband was able to jump out of the way but their precious dog was hit, she said.

The dog means everything to her husband, a four-year cancer survivor, who is disabled, Aimee said; the pup is his constant companion.

The couple believes their dog ran off into the heavily wooded fire trails, she said; the trails lead in many directions.

On Sunday night, a neighbor who knows the dog was driving along Jackson Avenue and saw Nacho, who did not appear injured, just frightened, Aimee said.

Nacho walking along Old Country Road, in front of Jackson Avenue, right near the police station, she said. But when the person called Nacho, he wouldn't come to him.

"He's afraid right now, terrified," Aimee said. "What we're looking for people to do is to notify us of a sighting. We don't think he'll come to people he doesn't know and we don't want to drive him further away."

However, it's been a few days, and Nacho is likely to be hungry; Aimee suggested dog owners out for a walk bring some fragrant food and also, a squeaky toy; Nacho loves both.

The couple's two sons, Evan, 4, and Haden, 9, at first were optimistic that Nacho would be home soon. But as the days pass, her oldest boy is beginning to get upset, she said.

As is her husband, who is devastated by the loss of his loyal companion.

While comforted that Nacho, when spotted, looked healthy but scared, Aimee said her whole family just wants him home.

"It's truly heartbreaking," she said.

Anyone who spots Nacho should call 516-971-5015. "He is friendly and his family is worried sick about him," wrote family friend Amy Cirincione.