Bay Area woman united with her dog three years after he was stolen

A small dog missing for three years after he was stolen from his owner was returned to her this week thanks to the pup's microchip.

The dog, a Maltese and Yorkshire terrier mix named Elliot, was nabbed away from Patricia Griffin's side years ago when they were leaving a hotel in Livermore.

Griffin, who lives in Saratoga, reportedly posted lost ads all over the county and hired a private investigator, but was unsuccessful in locating Elliot.

However, this week, she was surprised to receive an email from the Contra Costa Animal Shelter regarding her dog.

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On Tuesday, a dog named Elliot was reunited with its owner three years after he was stolen. On Tuesday, a dog named Elliot was reunited with its owner three years after he was stolen. Photo: Contra Costa Animal Services Photo: Contra Costa Animal Services Image 1 of / 63 Caption Close Bay Area woman united with her dog three years after he was stolen 1 / 63 Back to Gallery

"Usually they'll say something like, 'have you found Elliot?'" Griffin told KTVU. "But this one said, 'Elliot's been found.' I went, 'Whoa.' That's just too weird. They made a mistake."

Griffin went to the Animal Services and was reunited with Elliot. Shelter staff were, fortunately, onsite to record the reunion.

"This story proves the power of a microchip and how important it is to get one for all of your pets," a post on the Contra Costa Animal Services' Facebook page reads. "Elliott is now happily back at his home with his mom."

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

