UPDATE: Friday July 19 – 6 p.m.

Askem is back with his family.

The 17-month-old mastiff chow mix was reported stolen on Thursday from a construction site on Eckhardt Avenue, in Penticton.

Just before 5 p.m., Friday, Nicholas Bozak contacted the Western News to say his dog was back home, happy and healthy.

“I am truly grateful my boy is back. He is was so tired he ate a whole bowl of kibble and went to sleep,” said Bozak.

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Bozak said Askem stays outside the trailer, which is located within the fenced property, between 3:30 a.m. and when he wakes up around 6 a.m., because if he hears something, he can bark and alert Bozak to check it out. He added that Askem has never wandered off and is not a digger, so it is very unlikely that he would have gotten out under the fence or escaped another way, which is why he believes he was stolen.

“He’s not that type of dog, he’s very, very loyal. He’s my little boy,” said Bozak. “He stays on-site, and if he barks at anything while I’m sleeping I can jump up and see what it is, since that’s when we have the most activity here. Then the rest of the day he’s in the trailer with me.”

Bozak said he intends to file a police report about Askem’s disappearance today, stating he held off to this point because he was hopeful his dog would turn up. Friends of Bozak have been sharing photos of Askem on social media in hopes of finding him, and Bozak said this has led to a couple tips he intends to follow up on.

“There’s been two people that have said they’ve seen him with people on bikes around town here,” said Bozak. “I just hope he’s still in the city so I can track him down.”

Bozak said anyone who thinks they’ve located Askem are welcome to call or text him at 250-551-8750. He said they can also call Penticton Dog Control, who he has informed to be on the lookout for his dog as well.

Askem should respond to his name, and his favourite treats are beef jerky and cookies.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.