GREAT FALLS — Several people have contacted KRTV about a little dog named Sonic that is missing after being involved in a crash on Tuesday.
Ben Houston said in a Facebook post that at about 7:30 a.m. his mother was walking her dogs when she was hit by a car near Central Avenue and 30th Street.
Sonic, her little Papillon, got scared and ran away. He is wearing a harness and a leash, which means he could be tangled in something or in a field. He was last seen at around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. near 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue North, by Play and Learn Academy.
Houston says that they offering a $500 reward to bring Sonic home, and asks that if anyone sees him, please do not chase him; instead, keep your eyes on him and call Ben at 788-5885 and he will come to the rescue.
Ben also says that his mother is OK - still sore, but "nothing broken."
The Great Falls Police Department shared the information on Facebook late Wednesday morning:
Sonic ran away after his owner was hit by a car about a block from her home at 29th St and Central Avenue, yesterday morning. Sonic's owner escaped the crash with only minor injuries and her biggest concern now is finding Sonic.
Because Sonic was still attached to his leash he is at risk of getting caught on something and not being able to flee. We encourage community members to check their properties to ensure he is not snagged on something.
Several members of Sonic's human family, and many community members, searched throughout the night. He may have been spotted near Malmstrom Air Force Base last evening. If found hang on to him and call our non-emergency line at 406-727-7688 X5, an officer or ACO Staigmiller will retrieve him from you.
(UPDATE, FRIDAY MORNING) Sonic the dog has been reunited with his family in Great Falls. Ben Houston said that on Tuesday morning, his mother was walking her dogs when she was hit by a car near Central Avenue and 30th Street.
Sonic, her little Papillon, got scared and ran away. Ben's mother was not seriously injured and began searching immediately, but Sonic managed to escape.
Sonic's disappearance quickly went viral online, and was posted on numerous lost-and-found sites and Great Falls community pages. The family offered a $500 reward, and then increased the amount to $1,000.
On Friday morning, Ben was down in the Giant Springs area searching for Sonic, and he got a call from a woman who said that her husband had found Sonic.
The man who found Sonic was on his way to work at Flawless Auto Body (at 1111 38th Street North) when he saw Sonic on the side of the road.
Sonic had become tangled in the brush, which enabled the man to scoop him up.
The man's wife, Cynthia, then called Ben, who told KRTV that he "sprinted" out of Giant Springs toward Flawless Auto Body.
Ben said that the man initially refused to accept the reward, but Ben insisted, saying that he is a man of his word.
Ben expressed his gratitude to everyone that helped search and shared social media posts.
