Latest Duke Updates

Updated: Jan 3

If you live in the DMV, check out this post for potential signs of Duke in your neighborhood. We post the following status updates on our NextDoor page.

UPDATE DECEMBER 24TH

It's been over 3 months since Duke disappeared, and 4 months since we last saw Duke before our trip. Thank you for contacting us with your tips and sightings. Unfortunately, the scent-tracking dogs came out today to check many of the sighting spots and we're sad to say they were all negative.

We hope you're enjoying time with loved ones to celebrate the holidays. Below is another photo of 6-month old Duke from December 2020. He has always loved to chew on big logs of firewood, more than any of his toys. We wish he could be home for Christmas.

UPDATE DECEMBER 10TH

Eleven weeks since the carjacking attempt. Duke was on the Washington Post metro front page today, and we hope the article will bring in new leads. One quote we found striking: "Across the country, the number of stolen pets has steadily increased over the past few years. According to AKC Reunite...pet thefts have risen 140% in four years, from 629 stolen pets in 2019 to 1,511 in 2022."

WUSA9 recapped all the dogs stolen in the DC area in 2023. Thankfully many of the dogs have been recovered. Below is a cute 6-month old Duke in December 2020.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 17TH

The carjacking attempt was 2 months ago today. We spent the past 3 weeks running down leads in Bowie, MD after someone spotted a loose Giant Schnauzer on a doorbell camera and running around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the scent-tracking dogs don’t believe that dog was Duke.

The below photo is from a call we received about a dead animal on the side of a highway. Poor James saw this furry mound from 100 yards away and heart-wrenchingly thought it was Duke, until he drove close enough to see it was a blanket! It's a huge relief that this wasn't an animal, but we’re still sick to our stomachs just thinking about it.

We hope you all will enjoy Thanksgiving with loved ones. We’re looking forward to hosting both of our families again this year, but admittedly the holiday feels wrong with Duke still fending for himself somewhere.

UPDATE OCTOBER 27TH

Duke disappeared 5 weeks ago today. We’re still driving through Maryland every day after work and all weekend searching for Duke—passing out flyers, canvassing neighborhoods and businesses, running down tips. We placed trail cameras in the woods and in yards (with permission), but so far we’ve only seen deer and raccoons.

Below is a photo of Duke the bat-dog last Halloween. We’ve heard very little from the police detective assigned to Duke’s case. We’re so grateful to everyone’s words of encouragement. Morale is dragging, and your comforting messages help.

UPDATE OCTOBER 13TH

Duke has been missing for 3 weeks today. Why hasn't he been spotted yet? At least 200,000 people know Duke’s story and photos from national and local news, social media, and canvassing—but no sightings.

We’ve also brought in scent-tracking dogs, printed over a thousand flyers, bought ads on Facebook and Instagram, ran down dozens of tips, met with private detectives, made a website, and even called the Maryland Wildlife Department to ask about bear sightings!

Below is a video of Duke looking very bear-like, if you see him.

UPDATE OCTOBER 9TH

We're feeling down because we met Duke TODAY three years ago, October 9, 2020. He was the floppiest, sweetest puppy, and he got us through covid and a full home renovation. He has now been missing for 17 days. Feeling nostalgic so here's cutie Duke at 16 weeks old.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2ND

Today is the 10th day that Duke has been missing. Thanks to neighbors, family, and friends who have supported Duke's GoFundMe, we were able to increase our reward to $5,000 for Duke’s safe return. This is in addition to the police’s $2,500 reward for tips leading to an arrest and indictment, for a total of $7,500 to bring Duke home!

October 1st was National Black Dog Day, which brings awareness to the stigma that makes black dogs less desirable to potential owners than lighter-colored dogs. We may be biased, but we're definitely big fans of black dogs!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 24TH

I desperately wish we had more news to update you on Duke. We’re running down all the ideas and advice you’ve given us in comments and messages! Prince George's Police Department is working an investigation, and they are offering an additional $2,500 reward for tips that lead to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible.

POSTED SEPTEMBER 23RD

Two armed men stole our beloved dog Duke in an attempted carjacking on Friday, September 22nd at 9 PM. We’re begging the community to help us find him! We’re so heartbroken and worried.

Duke was stolen in Fort Washington, MD while our dog sitter was driving him home to us in DC. Our sitter is very shaken but fortunately is unharmed.

Police said Duke could be posted for sale anywhere in the country. We’re told he could also be bait in dogfights, or is loose outdoors if he somehow got away or was released. We’re desperate for any leads or advice.

Our big best buddy is 3 years old, 80 pounds, and 27” tall at the shoulder/approx. 35” at the top of his head. Duke is the heart of our home and we’re so worried for our gentle giant. Please help us get the word out to bring Duke home!

Support the Search

To find Duke, we’ve hired scent-tracking dogs, bought ads on Facebook and Instagram, distributed flyers via USPS, met with private detectives, printed well over a thousand handouts, and run down dozens and dozens of tips. For $40, we can mail flyers of Duke to 200 homes through USPS! If anyone wanted to support the search for Duke, friends created this GoFundMe.

We hope we can find Duke with your help! Please call, text, or email with any sightings, tips, or advice!

Alexa & James

(202) 922-7035

bringdogdukehome@gmail.com