Ponch is doing well this morning @CHPSanFrancisco @ErikEstrada but he would love to see his family. #BayBridgeDog pic.twitter.com/t8rGQosHfK
— SF Animal Care (@SFACC) April 4, 2016
The incredibly adorable Chihuahua mix that last Sunday led California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase, briefly stopping traffic on the Bay Bridge in the process, is recovering safely at San Francisco County Animal Care and Control as officials wait for his owner to claim the pooch. As you surely remember, the dog was spotted on the upper deck of the western span of the bridge by a motorist around 7 a.m. who then called to report the city-bound canine to CHP.
CHP efforts to get the dog safely off the bridge led an absurd scene of a motorcycle officer blazing after the Chihuahua — who appeared to be making a life-or-death break for freedom.
.@FOXSports1Desk @TheBuzzerOnFOX Here's another angle pic.twitter.com/FE5az29iFL
— CHP San Francisco (@CHPSanFrancisco) April 4, 2016
The Chronicle reports that officers have nicknamed the dog Ponch, after, yes, Erik Estrada's character in the 70's television show “CHiPs." Estrada, for his part, seems pleased by the news.
@CHPSanFrancisco @FOXSports1Desk @TheBuzzerOnFOX thank you guys 4 getting that dog of the freeway safe got five dogs and 3 are chihuahua 's
— ERIK ESTRADA (@ErikEstrada) April 4, 2016
“[Ponch is] really frightened and still very nervous and scared after [Sunday],” shelter spokeswoman Deb Campbell told the Chronicle. “He’s slowly coming out of his shell.” Campbell further noted that, while shaken, the pup has started to show an interest in treats.
Officials say that the dog appears to be without injuries, and thus they don't think he was thrown from a car. However, if he's your furry friend, you only have a few more days to claim him. If no owner comes forward in the next three days, Ponch will be put up for adoption. And he may require a long leash.
#BayBridgeDog Ponch is getting attention from our Behavior & Training team, his family is still MIA @CHPSanFrancisco pic.twitter.com/0EFZioVVKT
— SF Animal Care (@SFACC) April 4, 2016
Previously: Anyone Lose A Chihuahua On The Bay Bridge? Dog Rescue Briefly Stops Traffic Sunday