Happy ending: Service dog returned to paralyzed boy, his family



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A dog that was being trained to be a service animal for a boy who is paralyzed -- was returned to the family on Friday, May 30th after allegedly being stolen on May 20th.

The dog, named Shi Shi, had become a lifeline for Xzavier Davis-Bilbo. Shi Shi helps open doors and can even alert the family if Xzavier is having trouble breathing. His life was changed in October 2010 when he was hit by a woman texting while driving. Xzavier became paralyzed because of that incident.

A woman named Lynette phoned FOX6 News on Friday morning, indicating the dog had been identified -- and returned to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC).

Lynette tells FOX6 News, she was approached on the street by a teen a couple of days ago. The teen wanted to sell her a pit bull for $40. But she negotiated the price down to just $10.

When Lynette brought the dog home, family members recognized the Harley-Davidson collar on the dog -- and remembered seeing a story on FOX6 News about a stolen dog that had a similar collar.

That's when the family reached out to MADACC.

The owners of Shi Shi say she lost about ten pounds. She appears in good health -- although she needs a bath and a good meal. She has now been micro-chipped.

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