A United States Army private thought nothing of putting her dog, her beloved bloodhound named Buck, in the hands of a caretaker (and family friend) while she left her hometown Cleveland suburb to go on a military training mission.

Until Katelyn Gallagher came home and realized the man she entrusted her five-year-old canine with — Angelo Sullo — gave him away to another family, for good.

That family now, incredibly, refuses to return him to her.

Strangely, Sullo wouldn’t disclose where he’d taken Buck — Gallagher had to put up flyers and ask around to make that discovery (with the help of local media) all on her own.

“Words will never be enough to explain how grateful I am or be able to explain the flush of emotions I felt upon finding Buck’s location,” she said. “I am so thankful that he is alive.”

“Unfortunately, my heartache is not over though. I am sorry for the family Angelo Sullo gave Buck too [sic]. I know how amazing of a boy my Buck is, so I can understand how this is a shock for them. Sadly, the family is not willing to return my boy to me. They act as though he should be theirs. I am heartbroken. I am begging this family to do the right thing.”

Sullo has officially been charged with petty theft. He pled “not guilty.”

“I got him when he was a puppy and he is like a son to me and I want him back.”

Gallagher told local Ohio station WJW that she will get another dog from a local animal shelter for the family if they release Buck.

Legal experts are saying that she’ll need to file a civil suit and hope a judge rules in her favor.