In Lake Park, Florida, a family experienced the joy of being reunited with their dog, Elsa, eight months after she was taken. The power of social media played a crucial role in bringing them back together this week.
On a sunny day back on July 12, Jairisheila Gomez and her family were busy cleaning their house. Elsa was enjoying the sunshine on the porch. Despite checking on her multiple times, the family was shocked to find Elsa missing when they decided to bring her inside. Gomez, a mother to three children, initially thought Elsa might have wandered off. However, a discovery a few days later led her to believe otherwise.
Gomez found Elsa’s collar hidden in the bushes. This discovery confirmed her fears that Elsa had been stolen. The family was plunged into despair, likening the loss to losing a child. They struggled with sleep and appetite, overwhelmed by their loss.
Hope lingered, but as weeks turned into months, the family’s sadness deepened. Then, on January 21, a breakthrough came. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control received a tip from a good Samaritan, via the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, about a distressed dog. The dog, it turned out, was Elsa.
Elsa was found in poor condition, with a makeshift collar and leash made from shoelaces causing her discomfort. Arielle Weinberger, a spokesperson for Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, noted the distressing state Elsa was in upon her arrival.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identified Jonathan Nichols, 30, as the person found with Elsa, who he had renamed Lola. Nichols attempted to evade deputies, insisting he had done nothing wrong. However, his attempt to reach into his pocket raised suspicions.
Upon his arrest, deputies discovered a Glock 48 pistol in the pocket Nichols had reached for. Nichols resisted letting go of the makeshift leash, forcing deputies to cut it from his hands. He claimed to have found Elsa three months prior and had been using the shoestring leash for the last three days.
Elsa received the necessary care and showed significant improvement within three days. Her story and recovery were shared on Palm Beach Animal Care’s Facebook page, catching the attention of Gomez. Recognizing Elsa, Gomez immediately contacted her husband, and the family rushed to be reunited with their dog. The reunion was emotional, with Elsa instantly recognizing her family.
The family, who have another dog, noted that their second dog had been depressed during Elsa’s absence. They shared a heartwarming video of the two dogs reuniting, capturing the joy of the moment.
Just 24 hours after getting Elsa back, the family expressed their gratitude towards Animal Care and Control and shared their disdain for Nichols’ actions. Gomez condemned the abuse Elsa suffered under Nichols, highlighting the severity of his actions.
Nichols faces charges related to animal cruelty, possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm during a felony, and resisting an officer without violence. He pleaded not guilty to these charges on February 16.