Stolen Zeus the pitbull returns home to Montana for Christmas

Stolen dog is found 2,000 miles away: Zeus the pitbull returns home to Montana for Christmas after ‘thief’ is arrested in West Virginia

  • Pit bull Zeus, 9, was separated from his family by 2000 miles after being stolen
  • His devastated family heard no word of his whereabouts until a few months ago 
  • Huge cross-country mission was launched to bring pooch home for Christmas

A dog named Zeus has been reunited with his family after being stolen and separated by over 2000 miles, sparking a cross-country volunteer mission to bring him home for Christmas. 

The 9-year-old pit bull from Butte, Montana was reportedly taken from his home after owner Cassandra Rasmussen, a single mother with two daughters, allowed a family friend to stay with them. 

According to Chelsea Staley of the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, the family friend robbed the household ‘blind’ and stole a number of things including Cassandra’s wallet. 

A dog named Zeus has been reunited with his family after they became separated by over 2000 miles, sparking a cross-country volunteer mission to bring him home for Christmas 

Zeus pictured on his way home to his family after they were separated for months

Zeus pictured on his way home to his family after they were separated for months

Zeus was driven over 2000 miles from Nitro, West Virginia to Butte, Montana by volunteers

Zeus was driven over 2000 miles from Nitro, West Virginia to Butte, Montana by volunteers 

Cassandra and her family were devastated at the loss of their furry friend and all they wanted for Christmas was to have their dog back. 

After months of no word of what happened to Zeus, the person who stole the items was found alongside him and arrested 2000 miles away in Nitro, West Virginia. 

Zeus was taken by authorities and brought to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, where staffers were able to trace his registration to Rasmussen thanks to a microchip.

Zeus, who weighs 73 pounds, was thought to be too big to fly, sparking a mammoth cross-country journey by animal transport group Many Paws Volunteer Transport to get the pit bull home safely to his family in time for Christmas. 

ZEUS IS HOME: Stolen Butte pit bull has completed his 2,000 mile journey home and is reunited with his family just in time for Christmas! https://bit.ly/2M5tCuE

Posted by ABC FOX Montana on Monday, 16 December 2019

9-year-old pit bull Zeus gazes out of a car window

Zeus on his way home to his family in Montana

9-year-old pit bull Zeus gazes out of a car window during the 2000 mile trek from West Virginia to Montana

Zeus pictured with a smiling volunteer from Many Paws Volunteer Transport

Zeus pictured with a smiling volunteer from Many Paws Volunteer Transport 

Zeus in the back of a car as he is driven by a volunteer after being separated from his family for months

Zeus in the back of a car as he is driven by a volunteer after being separated from his family for months 

The task involved no less than 15 volunteers who took turns to drive the dog the thousands of miles over the course of four days. 

One of the volunteers, Jenn Robles, told WOWK-TV: ‘It’s wonderful, this is a great experience, a great opportunity to show the people and communities across the United States offering to help jumping on this to help reunite this dog with its family.’ 

Zeus was reunited with his family on December 16, just a week before Christmas. 

Zeus pictured with volunteers. The pooch arrived home to his family just in time for Christmas

Zeus pictured with volunteers. The pooch arrived home to his family just in time for Christmas 

The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association wrote on Facebook: ‘Montana Zeus is HOME! 

‘We’re so honored to be a part of his journey, and grateful for the volunteers nationwide who made this reunion possible!

‘While Zeus’ journey is a heartwarming holiday story, it’s just a glimpse into what animal welfare organizations do 365 days per year, in order to save pets’ lives and reunite families. 

‘Afterall, it’s #allforlove.’ 

 

 



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