Fort Hood soldier's lost dog may be put up for adoption while he's overseas

A lost dog who belongs to a Fort Hood soldier deployed oversees, may go up for adoption without him knowing.

A local animal group with a mission to reunite lost pets with their owners, is looking for someone to foster the dog while he’s deployed to make sure sure the soldier's dog is waiting for him when he returns.

The Bullmastiff named “Noonie” was brought in to the Killeen Animal Shelter as a stray Thursday.

If his owner doesn’t claim him in four days, per city of Killeen policy, Noonie will be put up for adoption.

“This soldier has no idea that his dog is lost, and now his dog is gonna be in the shelter and has a chance of being adopted,” said Sylvia Hall, a moderator of the Central Texas Lost & Found Pets Facebook group.

A woman found the dog on Westcliff Road in Killeen.

After some investigation, the dog’s microchip led the animal group and the shelter to a soldier named Elijah Christmas.

Attempts to reach Chrismas while he’s in Korea have failed so far.

"We really don't know where we're sitting on the animal, whether it's whether he doesn't want it, or whether he still wants it,” said Edward Tucker, Manager of the Killeen Animal Shelter.

Hall reached the soldier’s mother in Florida, and she believes her son wants the dog, but he’s scheduled to serve in Korea for nine months.

"We're just wanting someone to step-up, and possibly take care of him until the soldier comes home,” said Hall.

There is no fee to foster a dog in Killeen but a form is required to be filled out for approval.

"They're responsible to control the animal, secure the animal, and take care of it until the person comes back, if they're fostering for that,” said Tucker.

For information on how to apply to be a foster family for Noonie, call the Killeen Animal Shelter at (254) 526-4455, email animal@killeentexas.gov, or visit www.killeenpetadoption.org.