Beloved Firehouse Mascot "Bull" Back Home Safe
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The beloved mascot from a firehouse in the Englewood neighborhood was back home Friday, after disappearing more than a month ago, thanks to a woman who spotted him on the street on Thursday.
"Bull," a 2-year-old mastiff mix, could be heard howling a block away from the Engine Company 116 firehouse at 59th and Ashland on Friday. Firefighters said he's talkative that way.
Engine Company 116 was elated to have their mascot back. Bull broke free last month during a shift change, and had been missing ever since.
Firefighter Mike Sullivan said a woman saw two men walking Bull near 72nd and Ashland on Thursday.
"They were walking down the street down Ashland Avenue, and the lady was passing by and recognized his collar and his broken tail, and let them know that he belonged to the firehouse here, and insisted that they bring him back, and they did, and we're grateful for that," he said.
Sullivan said Bull lost about 20 pounds since walking out of the firehouse on August 14. His ribs were showing through his fur and Sullivan said they're feeding him small amounts of food, on a vet's advice, to get him back to a healthy weight.
A vet checked Bull out after he was returned, and told the firefighters he was not abused. Sullivan said the vet gave Bull a clean bill of health.
"He was missed, he was sorely missed and it's good having him back," he said.
Sullivan said neighbors are just as happy as the firefighters to see Bull back home.
"A couple ladies on the next block that argue over who he likes better, they've taken care of him. I'm going to take him for a walk later so that he can see Miss Rose and Miss Karen. There's kids in the neighborhood that run with him and play with him at the park. He's a good dog. He's good-natured,' he said.
Sullivan said the two guys who brought him back told firefighters they only had him for a short time, so nobody is sure where the dog has been for five weeks. He thanked all the people who helped search for Bull in recent weeks, including police officers, volunteers from the Animal Welfare League – the shelter where they adopted the dog – and volunteers from Lost Dogs of Illinois.
"The response was phenomenal," he said.
