Reunion after a long separation: A vagrant encounters his cherished pooch, who was stolen while he slumbered on a subway train in the Bronx.
In a heartwarming turn of events, Charles Williams, a homeless man from New York City, has been reunited with his beloved dog, Roc, after a harrowing ordeal that saw the pup stolen from him while he was asleep on a subway train.
Williams, who considers Roc to be like a son to him, woke up on the northbound D train at around 6 a.m. near Bainbridge Avenue and East 206th Street in the Bronx, only to find that his dog was missing. The loss was devastating, but Williams refused to give up hope.
In a plea that resonated with many, Williams made a heartfelt appeal for the return of his dog, emphasizing the importance of Roc in his life. His story touched the hearts of many, and it seems that the coverage of his plight on various platforms may have spurred the unidentified dognapper to return the pup.
The return of Roc was a double blessing for Williams, who was also recently placed in a pet-friendly shelter in Midtown Manhattan by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The city's traditional shelters rarely accommodate pets, creating a crisis for pet-owning homeless individuals. However, efforts are being made to change this.
One such initiative is the proposed Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act of 2025 (PUPPS Act), a bill introduced by Representative Jason Crow with bipartisan support. This bill aims to provide grants to homeless shelters to create or modify housing that can accommodate homeless people and their pets. The grants come with key requirements, such as providing supportive services, ensuring pets' safety and comfort, and outreach to homeless people to inform them of these pet-friendly housing options.
The PUPPS Act, if passed, could help reduce the forced choice between shelter and pets for homeless individuals. It authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for this grant program, a significant step towards ensuring that homeless people and their pets can find shelter together.
DHS spokesperson Neha Sharma emphasized the importance of pets in people's lives and the agency's commitment to accommodating service animals and emotional support animals. Sharma also highlighted that the DHS has helped thousands of New Yorkers stabilize their lives, including opening the city's first pet-friendly shelter for families with children.
Williams, who was emotionally reunited with Roc and found that the dog was unharmed, expressed his gratitude to everyone who shared his story and helped bring Roc back. However, the dognapper who stole Roc is still at large, and police are investigating his whereabouts. Anyone with information about the dognapper's whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
In the end, Williams feels doubly blessed, having been reunited with his stolen dog and finding a pet-friendly shelter. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of pets in our lives and the ongoing efforts to ensure that homeless individuals can keep their pets while accessing shelter.
Williams, now residing in a pet-friendly shelter, is grateful for the support in finding Roc, his beloved dog and companion, who he considers like a son. The passing of the PUPPS Act could alleviate the crisis faced by pet-owning homeless individuals, offering hope for those who struggle with the choice between shelter and their pets.
