A Burwash Landing woman’s dog was kidnapped near the Yukon-Alaska border from the roadside in late September and was found 10 days later in Kingman, Arizona U.S.
Midnight, a five-year-old American pitbull cross, travelled approximately 5,000 kilometres before someone surrendered her to a dog camp and training centre in the Southern U.S. state's capital, Phoenix.
The dog camp and training centre later gave Midnight to the Manzanita Animal Hospital in Kingman after realizing the dog had been abandoned.
Alyce Johnson, Midnight’s owner, believes the dog was taken to provide the thief with companionship. She thinks Midnight likely became anxious during the journey, prompting her to become vocal and restless.
“She has quirks like most dogs. I think she probably became loud and he didn’t want her anymore,” Johnson said.
Johnson had no idea what happened to Midnight when she went missing near Burwash Landing. Search parties yielded no luck; however, the Manzanita Animal Hospital later identified Midnight’s owner using her microchip.
The microchip contains an alphanumeric code that can be traced to the pet’s owner listed in the database files.
The Manzanita Animal Hospital tried contacting Johnson but left a voicemail, which Johnson received around 4 a.m.
“I was really sick, very sick, and I was on the land until nine at night,” Johnson said.
“It was a chip that saved her. Otherwise, we would never know if it was the wolves that got her,” she added.
Over the summer, a pack of wolves took down a wild horse near Burwash Landing, sparking fears that Midnight might have met a similar fate, Johnson said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced updated import requirements for dogs entering the U.S. on Aug. 1. Johnson suspects that Midnight’s kidnapper hid her during the border crossing.
Midnight was transported by courier service from Arizona to the U.S.-Canada border crossing at Blaine, Washington. Johnson and Midnight had an emotional reunion on Oct. 6 in Surrey, B.C., followed by an opportunity for Johnson to promote a book she helped write, Lhù’ààn Mân Keyí Dań Kwánje Nààtsat: Kluane Lake Country People Speak Strong.
Midnight made it home to the Yukon on Oct. 7 after being flown in from the Lower Mainland. Johnson was greeted by family and friends who were excited to see Midnight’s miraculous return in good health.
The pitbull cross bounded up and down the Erik Nielsen International Airport parking lot in excitement, jumping between familiar faces, barely able to contain her excitement.
The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that 30 per cent of missing dogs cannot be traced back to their owners, highlighting the importance of microchipping, as shown in Midnight’s case.
Although many questions remain about Midnight’s abduction and her journey across North America, Johnson prioritized getting her home. Midnight is now safely back in Burwash Landing as of publication.
The identity of the thief remains a mystery; however, Johnson said she had spoken to the RCMP about the incident.
In Canada, pet theft is illegal under property theft laws. If the animal is harmed, additional charges of animal cruelty may apply.
Fortunately, Midnight only experienced mental distress from being separated from her family, with no signs of cruelty having taken place during her excursion to the U.S.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
