The search continues for a dog that went missing Wednesday night from Tampa International Airport after she chewed through a cage she was in and ran away across the tarmac.
- Brady a 4-year-old hound mix
- Brady was being flown to Bermuda to join her family
- Brady possibly spotted near "The Stop In Tavern"
The dog, a 4-year-old hound mix named Brady, was being flown to Bermuda to be with her family, who recently moved there. She was being loaded onto a Delta plane when she escaped.
Airport crews, animal control and concerned citizens have all been searching airport property and the surrounding area of Drew Park looking for Brady. Brady's owners, William Gideon and Christie Pennell, arrived at TIA Friday night to aid in the search.
"It's our family pet, you know, she's our daughter," Gideon said. "She was 6 weeks old, I held her in the palm of my hand."
A possible sighting
Janet Elmore was taking out the trash at The Stop In Tavern on Wednesday when a dog that looks like Brady approached her.
"I call her "Pumpkin," Elmore said. "I said 'Pumpkin, it's ok' and then she'd start nudging up to me and sniffing."
She gave the dog food, water and a blanket. The animal returned on Thursday, but Elmore didn't know it might be the missing dog, Brady, until she saw the story on the news later that night.
"And I said to my boyfriend, 'Oh my God, that's that puppy I've been playing with,'" Elmore said.
The dog hasn't been back since.
Elmore confirmed to Brady's owners that she did have some injuries, which is what has them most concerned.
"She certainly had some injuries to her side, her paw was damaged," Gideon said. "Her mouth was very mangled from chewing through a quarter and a half inch stainless steel."
Meanwhile, back at the bar, Elmore has hung up a "missing dog" sign, and told us she hopes the animal she saw previously "stops in" again, so she can be reunited with her family and fly home.
Brady's owners told us they plan to stay in the area for several days to keep searching for her. The airport and the airline confirmed they are continuing their search efforts, as well.
"My main concern is getting our dog back," said Gideon.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact Hillsborough County Pet Resources at 813-744-5660 or email the owners at gideon.william7@gmail.com