Family Celebrates Dog’s Return 6 Months After Theft

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) -- A northwestern Indiana family is celebrating their dog's return, nearly six months after the beloved pet was stolen from their yard.

Josephine Lopez filed a police report but had little hope of seeing Zino, a Maltese mix, after the dog was taken from her East Chicago yard in February. But Zino was recently found on the streets of St. Cloud, Minnesota, some 500 miles away.

Zino's microchip provided authorities with the information needed to contact Lopez. A dog rescue group helped fly Zino home. The canine was reunited Thursday with Lopez and her family at Chicago's Midway International Airport.

Lopez says they're elated that "our fur baby made it through" to return home.