Family gets closure after lost dog washes ashore nearly 80 miles away from home

WESTBROOK, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A Massachusetts family’s lost dog washed ashore in Connecticut this week.

According to the Essex Regional Animal Control, it was notified on Monday about the deceased dog that had washed up along a Westbrook beach.

“During our investigation, we located a microchip on our pup and began making calls in hopes of identifying the dog and finding their family,” the agency said.

The team said it determined through the dog’s microchip that the pet belonged to a family in Holyoke, Massachusetts, nearly 80 miles away.

The family told animal control that it had been searching for the beloved dog for more than a month.

According to the agency, the animal had fallen into a body of water connected to the Connecticut River and traveled more than 77 miles before eventually washing ashore in Westbrook.

“We paid our respects to the pup by taking the utmost care and dignity while retrieving them from the shoreline, knowing they were someone’s beloved family member,” animal control said.

The team noted that though this was not the outcome anyone wanted, the microchip was able to give the family a measure of closure.

“While this story is incredibly sad, one small thing made a huge difference: that microchip,” animal control shared. “Without it, this dog may never have been identified and the family may never have known what happened.”

The owner of the dog said family members will be taking the animal back home.

“Our hearts are with this family. While we are devastated by this loss, we are grateful they will finally have answers and the chance to bring their beloved pup home,” the animal control team said.