Happy Ending As Dog, Lost After Being Hit by Car, is Found Safe

HAMPTON BAYS, NY - It's a dog's life, at least for one lucky pup who was found, safe and sound, after he was hit by a car and went missing.

Nacho's plight captured hearts when word spread that he'd gone missing after his owners said he was hit by a car and ran off, frightened.

Nacho was found on Friday afternoon at West Landing beach in Hampton Bays a few miles from home, said his overjoyed owner Aimee LoMonaco.

"A neighbor was walking their dog and the dog found him, sniffed him out; he was hiding under a deck."

The neighbor called the animal shelter — Nacho had a tag with the number — and soon, the lost pup was safely returned to his adoring family.

"Our baby is home!" LoMonaco wrote on Facebook.

Friends and residents posted happily about the "miracle" reunion, thankful that Nacho was brought home to his loving family.

Although he has bumps and bruises, scrapes and ticks, a visit to the vet indicated that nothing was broken and he had no serious injuries. "He's a very lucky dog," LoMonaco said.

She thanked the community who opened their hearts to help find him.

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 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.

Last 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 remained that Nacho was missing for five long, worry-filled nights, Aimee said — and a sea of loving friends set out to bring him home safely.

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

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

The couple's two sons, Evan, 4, and Haden, 9, at first were optimistic that Nacho would be home soon — and their steadfast belief that their four-legged friend would be home soon turned out to be well-founded.

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