A Montreal family is living through every pet owner's worst nightmare as their beloved dog Homer remains missing after disappearing nearly three weeks ago from the Snowdon neighborhood. The situation is particularly urgent because the 11-year-old terrier mix requires daily medication for a serious liver condition.
Critical Medical Needs
Homer vanished on November 12 when he ran out of his family's parked car near the intersection of St-Kevin and Victoria Avenues. The 14-pound dog has been without his essential medication since that snowy afternoon, putting his health in grave danger.
"He will die without his medication," said Nancy Spilberg, the daughter and stepdaughter of Homer's owners, Isabelle and David Pinsky. Spilberg traveled from Toronto to Montreal on November 25 to help coordinate the search efforts for the ailing pet.
In addition to his regular medication, Homer requires a special therapeutic diet to manage his liver disease. The combination of missing doses and improper nutrition creates a life-threatening situation for the senior dog.
Suspected Abduction Case
What began as a typical lost pet case has taken several disturbing turns. A witness came forward after seeing a Facebook post about Homer's disappearance, reporting that she saw a woman pick up a dog matching Homer's description by his leash near where he went missing.
"I am very confident that she recognized the dog the same time as he went missing," Spilberg stated regarding the witness's account.
The witness confronted the woman, who claimed to be on the phone with the SPCA. However, subsequent investigation revealed that the SPCA never received any call from this individual about finding a dog matching Homer's description.
The witness followed the woman as she walked south along Victoria Avenue toward Lacombe Avenue but eventually lost sight of her. The family has provided police with a description of the woman seen picking up the dog.
Extensive Search Efforts Underway
Spilberg has mounted an intensive search campaign, posting 200 lost dog posters throughout Snowdon and Côte-des-Neiges. She has also identified two businesses on Victoria Avenue with surveillance cameras that might have captured footage of the suspected abduction and plans to work with police to obtain the recordings.
"I am hoping the cameras will be pulled," she said, expressing hope that video evidence might provide crucial leads.
The family has multiple layers of search support in place. Homer is microchipped, and Spilberg has contacted the microchip manufacturer to place an alert in his file. The organization Ge Cherche Charly — Chiens perdus, which specializes in locating lost dogs, has also joined the search.
Possible Extortion Attempt
Complicating the search, the family has received text messages from an individual demanding money in exchange for Homer's return. The person initially requested $350 via e-transfer, then lowered the demand to $250 when Spilberg refused to pay.
"I said, 'I am not sending any money. I am going to the police,'" Spilberg recounted. She reported the possible extortion attempt to Station 9 in Côte-St-Luc, where her mother and stepfather reside, and authorities are investigating.
Despite the emotional toll and concerning developments, Spilberg remains determined. "I am not losing hope," she affirmed. "I am very persistent."
Anyone with information about Homer's whereabouts is urged to contact David Pinsky at 514-333-5588. The family continues to hold out hope for their beloved companion's safe return as the search enters its third week.
