PA assists in relocating special needs dog

After Lola disappears from her home in Beit El, family hears her barking from nearby Jilzun. Operation to bring her back successful after Palestinian security forces respond to call for assistance

Hanan Greenberg|Published: 10.24.10 , 07:43

Lola, a special needs Labrador, disappeared last Sunday from her home in the settlement of Beit El, crossed the fence and went straight into the nearby Palestinian refugee camp Jilzun. Palestinian security forces were asked to help in bringing her home – and soon, after a military-like operation, had Lola safely home.

Lola was brought for a youth aged 13 with special needs, the son of Assaf Brochi, also known as the man who gets things done at the rightwing organization Ateret Cohanim. After training to meet his particular needs, Lola quickly became part of the family.

After she disappeared, the family was not worried, sure that the dog would make her own way home. Then Brochi began making enquiries, and learned she had found refuge in a Palestinian house. "We even heard her barks," he said.

Operation successful! (Photo: Courtesy of Civil Administration)

Details of her whereabouts were given to the police, who coordinated the search with their Palestinian counterparts. Some time later, a Palestinian patrol vehicle pulled up at the house, containing officers, armed police and – Lola.

"When we saw her leap from the vehicle and run towards her owners, we all put ideology aside and we were simply moved," a police officer told Ynet. "It was a very moving scene, when the dog jumped up to its owners. Some of the soldiers who were there were also moved and took photos."

Lola came home healthy and happy, if a little tired. "Lola returned to the bosom of her family and we are all happy," said Brochi, who heaped praises on the Palestinian security forces. "This case shows there are also other moments and if we all want it, we can change things."

Another dog was also brought by the security forces. It belongs to a resident of Beit El and disappeared a few months ago. Its owners asked that it be returned to the Palestinian family that had adopted it.