Dog rescued half-mile offshore in lake, reunited with owner
CHICAGO -- A dog rescued by police Monday from Lake Michigan was reunited with its owner two days after it went missing.
Chicago Police Officer Ordaz Jiminez and FTO Terzich received a call for a dog in the water at the Montrose Harbor, according to a tweet by CPD. Around 10 a.m., they called the Chicago Police Marine Unit and the Chicago Fire Department for help.
"I just wanted to make sure that the dog was still alive and was going to be able to reunite her with its owner," Terzich said.
Police rescued the dog, named Laila, from Lake Michigan, about half-mile offshore, and took the dog to an area vet. They reported that the dog was in "good, tail-wagging condition," a police spokesperson said.
WATCH: Charles Bogenberger speaks after his dog was rescued from Lake Michigan
The dog's owner, Charles Bogenberger, said he was at the Montrose dog beach Saturday when Leila ran out of a gate that had been left open.
"My first thought was, 'Is she alive?' I didn't think she was going to make it through the weekend but this girl is a fighter, she can survive," Bogenberger said.
Laila was safely reunited with Bogenberger Monday afternoon.
WATCH: Chicago Police Department FTO Terzich Laila was rescued
"I had no idea she could swim until yesterday, but apparently she's a real Michael Phelps," Bogenberger said.
Bogenberger adopted Laila from a shelter in Denver, Colorado.
Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
