Missing Dog Reunited With Owner, Man Arrested: Port Richey Police

PORT RICHEY, FL — A woman was reunited with her Scottish terrier Otis more than a month after the dog went missing and the man he was found with faces charges, the Port Richey Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

The woman reported Otis missing from Oelsner Park on April 29 after she placed signs throughout the city and shared posts about the dog on social media.

Officers followed up on several social media tips, including a sighting of Otis in the possession of a man driving a white Chevy Equinox.

Lost pet forums, volunteers and Otis’ owner continued to hang flyers and signs, share social media posts, and speak with people in the community. A citizen sent pictures to the department after a June 3 sighting of Otis at Sims Park in New Port Richey. She came to the station on the morning of June 4 with the photos, police said.

On June 6, Otis’ owner saw the Chevy Equinox at Oelsner Park and the driver leaving the bathroom. She tried to get the man to stay at the park while she called police, but he got into his SUV and drove away, nearly hitting her. She was able to get his license plate number.

Police responded to the area and investigators, using the license plate number, learned it was registered to 67-year-old John Ligatich of New Port Richey, though they didn’t find him.

The department issued a “be on the lookout” notice with information about his SUV and his description.

Officers with the Tarpon Springs Police Department saw and detained Ligatich at Anderson Park.
Otis was recovered at the park and returned to his owner unharmed, police said.

He was interviewed by Port Richey police Monday. Following the interview, Ligatich was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. He was booked into Pasco County Jail.