SENATOBIA, MS (abc24.com) – It would be impossible to make up a holiday story like this.
Kapone the pit bull has been found. Six months after his disappearance led to criminal charges against Memphis Animal Control Officer Demetria Hogan, Kapone was found in an unlikely place.
It was unlikely, but did eventually lead to a happy reunion.
However, even Memphis animal activists who have been assisting in the search for Kapone for months, seemed a little surprised at his location.
“I was very surprised,” said animal advocate Cindy Sanders, “I mean Senatobia, Mississippi - who would have thought?”
Well, nobody, but that’s where the dog known as Kapone was reunited with his family in the evening hours of Tuesday, December 20, 2011.
After being set free and taking a good sniff around, Kapone was ready to go.
As Kapone roamed the halls of the Senatobia Animal Shelter, his owner, Darrell Shoup, said “It feels great, feels great, more than great.”
When Kapone disappeared six months ago, his owner feared the worst.
“I thought that we would never see him again,” said Shoup, “or that somebody was using him as a bait dog or a fighter.”
But that did not turn out to be the case.
“He seemed healthy,” Shoup told abc24.com, “he’s a little underweight but he has not been fighting.”
The house where Kapone was found was in the 100-block of Peach Tree Street in Senatobia. But, as for the investigation into how he got there, “Right now, [police] said they have to take it at face value that the dog did wander up to that house.” said Shoup.
But on the Tuesday evening of the happy reunion, talk of investigations was for another day. That night was all about reunions.
“Could we ask for a better ending to this?” queried Sanders.
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed Darrell Shoup, “it was like Christmas.”
And like all good Christmas stories, this one had a happy ending.
As Kapone hopped into the back of the family SUV, Darrell’s young daughter, Karmen, spread her arms to the heavens and said, “Merry Christmas everybody!”
And as Kapone and his family drove out of sight, he barked: Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Kapone was located thanks to an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers. Senatobia Police aided in reuniting Kapone with his owners. Now, any investigation will fall to the Memphis Police.
