Dog Reunited After Missing For 6 Days In Scotch Plains Area

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A happy ending all around for the Goldberg family of Westfield who was reunited with their lost dog Lelia. Leila had been missing for six days.

"It was a good ending to our story after we had a really bad week," said Neil Goldberg. "Everybody who had contributed with tips and helped, I want to thank as many people as I can."

Leila was being watched by friends in Scotch Plains on July 30 when she escaped. She was spotted off Johnston Drive in Watchung throughout the week. Read More: Family Dog Missing For 3 Days Last Seen In Warren Area

Goldberg set up a trap on Wednesday night but ended up only catching an Oppossum. On Thursday night another sighting was reported at the intersection of Johnston Drive and Mareu Drive, said Goldberg.

"A really nice homeowner on the corner of the street let us put a trap there for her," said Goldberg.

After setting the trap, Neil would drive by every half hour to check the trap. At 10:30 p.m., the family found Leila in the trap.

"She was pretty quiet, very subdued," said Goldberg after catching Leila.

He took Leila to an emergency vet on Route 22 in Union where she was checked out. She was not dehydrated but weighed in at 3 pounds lighter. Overall, Goldberg said Leila was "in really good health. She took care of herself. She probably used her primal canine instincts to keep alive."

Throughout the search, Goldberg also encountered a lost Havanese dog who was also caught and brought to a shelter.

"Overall two good endings for those two dogs," said Goldberg. "I want to thank everybody who helped, anyone who called in with any type of sighting. People are good."

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