POINT PLEASANT, N.J. — Troopers of the New Jersey State Police rescued a Golden retriever that had been missing for 16 days and reportedly swimming for miles in the local bay.
Troopers Ryan Koehler and Vincent Ferdinandi were preparing for their shift when they received a report of a dog swimming in New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay. They responded in a boat and located the dog name “Chunk.” The 3-year-old pup was in the water near the Mantoloking Bridge, about 45 miles southeast of Trenton, police said. According to joggers in the area, he had been swimming at least two miles before he was rescued Tuesday morning, Fox News reported.
After he was safely retrieved, the canine was taken to shore. New Jersey State Police shared a photo of the dog on Facebook after it was reunited with its owners.
“Chunk, who is three years old, was missing for more than two weeks,” they wrote. “Needless to say he was ecstatic to be reunited with his grateful owners.”
After the ordeal, Jim Zangara, the dog’s owner, noted Chunk was not only exhausted, but had “lost 20 pounds,” FOX 29 reported.
Chunk took off from his owners June 6 while playing at the beach.
Despite his condition, the family was just grateful to see their beloved dog alive.
“I’m just over the moon. I’m just so happy to have him back,” Marie Zangara said.
