Dog owner blames NW Side clinic for losing beloved pet

Owner searching for Moo Moo, a 2-year-old pit bull mix

SAN ANTONIO – Sylvia Anzualda has lost her best friend, and she said it was through no fault of her own.

She said as she headed out of town to Houston last week, she left her beloved dog, Moo Moo, at the Callaghan Road Animal Hospital on Thursday morning -- a place she thought would keep her pet safe.

Instead, she said a worker at the veterinary clinic lost Moo Moo while taking her for a walk without her regular leash, collar or tags.

"They had put on a paper collar and a leash that's very thin for a big dog to take out walking," Anzualda said. "I know right now (Moo Moo) is just running scared. And the weather -- it's going to rain. It's cold. She's gone without food, water."

Since learning the news, Anzualda said she has been canvassing the neighborhood near Callaghan Road and Loop 410, looking for her 2-year-old, spotted pit bull mix pup.

She also has put up about 100 posters, through the generosity of a local business that printed them for free.

What Anzualda said she has not received, though, is any kind of help from the animal hospital, which she believes is to blame for losing her four-legged friend.

"I have asked them to help me. They have not even suggested to help me put up posters," she said.

KSAT 12 News reached out by phone to the Callaghan Road Animal Hospital for comment. 

A staff member who answered the phone twice on Monday morning said the only person who is able to answer questions about the incident would not be in the office until the following day.

Anzualda, meanwhile, said she feels that she is in a race against time to find Moo Moo, and right now, she is running it alone.

She said she's worried that her dog will be treated as a stray if it is picked up, or perhaps, hit by a car.

"I just want closure," she said. "Moo Moo means the world to me. She's part of my family, and I miss her a lot."

Anzualda asks anyone who might have information about the dog to call her at 210-289-1388.

The Callaghan Road Animal Hospital issued a statement Monday afternoon, saying they are "terribly sorry and devastated" about the incident. The statement also said this was the first incident of its kind in the animal hospital's 5-year existence. 

"Moo Moo was boarding with us on Thursday, January 29, 2015, when she was taken out for a walk, she accidentally slipped off her leash and ran. Clinic staff and doctors have searched for Moo Moo for many hours since then with no avail. Local animal shelters, animal hospitals and the microchip company Moo Moo is registered with have been alerted," the statement read in part.

Click here to read the full statement. 


About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.