A dog stolen from his home just before Thanksgiving was found Thursday by Cook County deputies evicting a man who hadn't paid his rent in months, officials said.
Macho, a bull mastiff and American bulldog mix, was identified by a microchip his owner had implanted in the dog. He and his owner were reunited at Chicago Animal Care and Control Thursday evening.
The dog had been left in the family’s yard for the day on Nov. 23 and was missing when the family returned home. Neighbors reported seeing someone suspicious in the yard area that afternoon.
Sheriff's deputies conducting an eviction at a home in the 400 block of N. Trumball Avenue found the malnourished Macho along with two other dogs. One was an adult female dog, who was found dead in an unheated basement. An emaciated puppy was also found.
Antonio Harris, 38, came home during the eviction and was immediately arrested on three counts of animal cruelty -- a class A misdemeanor, officials said.
The charges could be increased because the dead dog died of starvation.
Harris initially said the dogs were his, but the microchip officially identified Macho and allowed for him to be reunited with his family.
Harris, who has been arrested numerous times on charges including burglary, theft and aggravated assault, is free on bond.
His next court date is set for 9 a.m. on Feb. 2.
