Missing Autism Service Dog Found Dead

We have some sad news to share, following up on a previous story we wrote about last week. According to WCSC in South Carolina, Toby, the autism service dog who had been taken from a family’s front yard, has turned up dead in the same location.

Kelly Nolan, the mother of the child who the dog assisted, reported that Toby was found warm and lying dead in the front yard Sunday evening with blood coming out of his mouth. He was an American Bull Terrier and taken from the family’s home in Moncks Corner, a small town north of Charleston, South Carolina. The dog appeared to have blunt force trauma to its head.

Allie, the child who the dog belonged to, had very limited communication skills and relied heavily on the dog for companionship and often provided a “voice” for her when she was upset or in danger. She was reported to be very distressed when the dog was initially taken and this latest development is absolutely heartbreaking.

Police say a white female with blonde hair driving a black Dodge Charger took the dog from the family’s yard on Tuesday. A motive has not been announced.

Although the family has reported that they do not want another dog because of the heartache, I would still love to see the autism community rally behind this family and help them out.

If anyone has information or leads about this incident, please contact the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department at 843-719-4234.