WANTAGE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — A dog that disappeared following a motor vehicle crash in Wantage Township has been reunited with his family after an 11-day search involving volunteers, animal control officers, drones and community members.
According to Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery and Wantage Township Animal Control, Leo fled into nearby woods after a truck allegedly ran a stop sign and crashed into the vehicle he was riding in.
Rescuers said Leo bolted from the car in fear and ran along Route 23 before disappearing into the woods.
Over the following days, volunteers and supporters organized an extensive search effort that included feeding stations, trail cameras, posters and thermal drone flights.
For seven days, no sightings of Leo were reported until a passing motorist spotted him taking shelter from rain inside a covered bus stop about a quarter mile from the crash site. When someone attempted to approach him, Leo reportedly panicked and ran back across Route 23 into the woods.
Searchers then focused on a nearby trail system where rescuers believed Leo may be hiding. Additional cameras and feeding stations were placed throughout the area.
“Night after night, the cameras captured bear after bear wandering through the darkness including none other than local celebrity bear known as ‘Tank’ but still no Leo,” Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery said in a statement.
Five days later, Leo finally appeared on one of the trail cameras, prompting another search effort.
“The moment Brianna saw him, she raced down the trail. She heard rustling in the brush… then suddenly, Leo stepped out into the middle of the path,” the rescue organization said. “Calmly, softly, Brianna called to him. And after 11 days of fear, survival, exhaustion, and uncertainty… Leo ran straight into her arms.”
Wantage Township Animal Control confirmed Leo was safely reunited with his owners after nearly two weeks on the run.
“This happy ending is a reminder that persistence, teamwork, and never giving up can make all the difference,” the agency said in a statement. “Welcome home, Leo!”
Rescuers credited the successful reunion to support from volunteers, local businesses and community members who assisted in the search and shared information throughout the ordeal.
