Shayla-Mae Sabine of Litchfield is missing her support dog, Tovi, which has different colored eyes. Courtesy photo
Shayla-Mae Sabine said her support dog, Tovi, was taken earlier this month and she needs the public’s help to find her.
Tovi is a female pit bull that helps Sabine, a victim of human trafficking who suffers seizures and has autism and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sabine said she and Tovi were riding with a friend Oct. 3 when an argument ensued and Sabine asked to stop for food and snacks at the Dollar General store in Litchfield.
She said she tied up Tovi outside and spent only minutes inside the store, before bringing her groceries to the checkout line, where she overheard people talking about an abandoned dog outside. By the time she left the store, Tovi was gone and so was Sabine’s ride.
Sabine said she went back inside asking for help, hoping her friend took Tovi before leaving. The store’s day manager said two customers, a couple who shop regularly at the store, asked about an “abandoned dog” tied up outside the store and whether they could bring it home.
Sabine said because the couple were regulars, the manager told them they could take Tovi home. He did not know at the time she belonged to Sabine, and assumed the dog was abandoned, as the customers had said.
The Dollar General store manager declined to comment.
Sabine waited for weeks, returning to the store periodically for any updates while spreading the word around Litchfield and surrounding towns, and placing posts online. Sabine said Tovi might have been spotted Oct. 20 on 7th Street in Auburn, but there have been no other leads.
Cliff Daigle, Litchfield’s animal control officer, took Sabine’s report Oct. 25 as she tried renewing efforts to find Tovi.
“She’s just such a sweet girl and I love her so much,” Sabine said. “She’s probably going mad because she doesn’t even like it when I leave the room. I really hope I can find her. I miss her so much.”
Anyone who might have seen Tovi is asked to contact Daigle at 207-215-7130 or the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office at 207-753-2500.
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