Tampa, Florida – A dog named Luca was reunited with his owner seven years after going missing during a burglary at her Tampa apartment.

Gabrielle Hartley said she discovered her front door had been kicked in by a burglar when she returned home from work at 4 a.m. in 2018, and Luca was gone.

Seven years later, Hartley was contacted by microchip company PetKey and learned Luca had been found by a Tampa police officer.

“Officer Bishop spotted this friendly pup wandering alone and as soon as he opened his patrol car door, Luca jumped in knowing he was saved,” the department posted on social media.

Luca was taken to Animal Doctors of South Tampa, scanned for a microchip, and Hartley was identified as his owner. She suspects Luca had been used for breeding and abandoned when his health declined.

“He had a UTI, blood infection, broken teeth from probably trying to escape a cage, broken claws, defensive marks all over his body. He’s only like 38 pounds for a full-grown male dog, that’s not even close to healthy,” Hartley said.

Luca is now being treated by veterinarians at Harmony Vet Care. “He still loves his favorite snacks, strawberries and peanut butter,” Hartley said. “That moment he crawled up on my bed and he’s licking my hand… I could tell he feels comfortable and safe, and it’s so worth it.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download