Homeless Man Reunites with Dog After Subway Incident

A homeless man has been joyfully reunited with his dog after the canine was reportedly stolen on a subway in New York City.

Charles Williams was reunited with his American bully puppy in the Bronx, thanks to a Good Samaritan who found the dog and took it to the police. Williams expressed that he felt “overwhelmed” upon learning his dog had been located.

“I want to cry because I’m overwhelmed. In a huge city like New York, finding your dog can feel impossible,” the 45-year-old shared.

He continued, “My anxiety was heightened. I had been grappling with depression. He relies on me, and I rely on him.”

On Sunday, a puppy named Rock was taken from its owner while on a northbound train near the Bainbridge Avenue and East 206th Avenue station around 6 am. Police released footage of a suspect who appeared to be smirking as he moved through the turnstile. The individual was described as having a slim build, wearing a faded black jacket, black T-shirt, shorts, shoes, and a Yankees baseball cap.

Williams has owned Rock since April 2024. He had been homeless for a month following the loss of his job as a restaurant chef at Kennedy Airport. Williams stated that he was on the train with Rock to escape the sweltering heat of the city when the puppy was taken. He mentioned that the man who stole Rock had been sitting across from him.

Williams recounted, “Rock was right under me. I was watching him—well, I thought I was watching him. Then I fell asleep, and when I woke up, he was gone.”

Upon reuniting with Rock, Williams emphasized how much the dog meant to him, saying, “For some of us, our animals are not just pets; they are family. My dog isn’t just a pet; he’s my family. He’s like my son.”