TAMPA, Fla. — A lost beagle was reunited with her owner Monday after she was given to a stranger at a local animal shelter.
Bela the beagle was given away Thursday afternoon at the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center on Falkenberg Road in Tampa.
The person who first found the missing beagle had been waiting in line to turn her over to the shelter but ending up handing her off to another individual, who identified herself as a volunteer, when he couldn't wait anymore.
However, it's unclear what happened next because the shelter never got the dog.
For days, the family has been working to track down their beagle.
On Monday, 10News confirmed Bela has been located and was reunited with her owner this afternoon.
"The Pet Resource Center tracked down the woman the man gave the dog to, and once the situation was explained to her, she agreed to return the beagle," Hillsborough County Spokesperson Todd Pratt wrote in an email.
Owner Rebecca Lawrence said she wasn't sure she'd ever see Bela again.
"I'm humbled by the thousands of people who shared our story and News Channel 10 for covering a story about a family trying to find their little dog," Lawrence wrote on Facebook. "Bela went viral! She's a famous dog lol. Thanks to everyone who shared. You have no idea how grateful I am for each of you."
Photos of 'Bela' the beagle courtesy of Rebecca Lawrence.
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