In a heartwarming tale of persistence and community support, Angel Santiago, a legally blind man from Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, was reunited with his beloved 14-year-old dachshund, Bam Bam, after the dog was stolen from his backyard.
The emotional reunion, which took place on August 19, 2025, marked the end of a grueling two-month search that captured the hearts of people across Chicago and beyond. Santiago’s unwavering determination, coupled with the generosity of strangers, led to a joyous moment when he held his emotional support dog again.
A Devastating Theft and a Determined Search
On June 5, 2025, Angel Santiago’s life changed in an instant. Around 4 a.m., while Bam Bam was outside for a routine bathroom break in the fenced backyard of Santiago’s home near Monticello and Fullerton Avenues, two unknown individuals entered through the gate and stole the tan and white dachshund.
Santiago, who is legally blind due to glaucoma and also manages Type 2 diabetes, heard the disturbance and attempted to intervene. He even managed to grab one of the suspects, whom he believed sounded like a teenager, but was unable to stop them. As the thieves fled, Santiago heard Bam Bam’s desperate barks fading into the distance, leaving him heartbroken and helpless.
“Bam Bam means the world to me, and I feel my body draining away,” Santiago said in an interview shortly after the theft. Despite his visual impairment and health challenges, he refused to give up on his furry companion. Bam Bam, a 14-year-old dachshund, was more than just a pet; he served as an emotional support animal, providing Santiago with comfort and companionship. The loss was devastating, not only for Santiago but also for his 15-year-old son, Tristan, who had grown up with Bam Bam and considered him a vital part of the family.
Santiago’s response was immediate and tireless. Every day, he walked up to seven miles through the streets of Logan Square, handing out flyers with Bam Bam’s picture and offering a $1,000 reward for his safe return. Standing outside Tony’s Fresh Market, a green dog collar around his neck, Santiago pleaded with passersby: “Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me, please. I beg of you to help me.” His persistence was fueled by his deep love for Bam Bam, whom he described as a “little miniature clown” who loved dressing up in sweaters and brought joy to the household.
The community rallied around Santiago’s cause. Volunteers organized walking routes, posted flyers, and shared Bam Bam’s story on social media, amplifying the search effort. A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Santiago’s friend Amy Pasalich, raised nearly $20,000 to support the search, covering expenses like reward money, pet detective services, and flyer production.
JUST IN: Elderly blind Chicago man reunited with his service dog 'Bam Bam' after the dog was stolen from him by people who sounded like 'teens.'
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 20, 2025
In June, Angel Santiago said he was in his yard with his 14-year-old dachshund when multiple individuals took him.
Santiago spent the… pic.twitter.com/bj5BEVfMOo
PETA also joined the effort, offering an additional $5,000 reward for information leading to Bam Bam’s return and the arrest of those responsible. Despite the outpouring of support, the first two months brought only false leads and scam calls, leaving Santiago physically and emotionally drained but still hopeful.
A Community’s Compassion and a Microchip’s Miracle
As Bam Bam’s story gained traction, it spread far beyond Chicago. News outlets, including FOX 32 Chicago and the Chicago Tribune, covered Santiago’s plight, sparking a nationwide and even global response. People from as far away as Spain and New Zealand reached out to offer support, moved by the story of a blind man’s unwavering quest to find his loyal companion.
Social media platforms buzzed with outrage and empathy, with one TikTok user’s emotional plea for Bam Bam’s return garnering over 800,000 views. “To the people who took that blind man’s dog out of his backyard, I literally hope you never have a good night’s sleep ever again,” the user said, echoing the sentiments of many. The breakthrough came on the evening of August 19, 2025, when an unidentified man and woman dropped off a white-and-yellow dachshund mix at Chicago’s 16th District police station in Jefferson Park.
The pair provided no information and left quickly, but the officers scanned the dog’s microchip, confirming it was Bam Bam. The microchip, a small device the size of a rice grain implanted under the dog’s skin, proved to be the key to reuniting him with Santiago. When the police called Santiago around 9 p.m., he initially thought it might be another scam. “We thought it was a prank, but it turned out to be the 16th District Police Department saying they have my dog,” he recalled.
Santiago rushed to the station, and by 9:30 p.m., he was holding Bam Bam in his arms. “I checked his ears to just make sure it truly was him, and it really was Bam Bam. I couldn’t believe it,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. The reunion was a moment of pure joy, captured in a photo shared on the GoFundMe page, showing Santiago cradling his beloved dog.
The Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation, which had supported the search, celebrated the reunion on Facebook, writing, “Microchips save lives! Please microchip your pets!” The organization praised the teamwork of the Chicago Police Department and the volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring Bam Bam home.
A Joyous Reunion and Ongoing Questions
When Bam Bam was returned, he appeared to be in good health, though Santiago noted that he was “really skinny” and his nails were overgrown. The dachshund was taken to Niles Animal Hospital for a veterinary checkup, where he was given a clean bill of health despite minor heart and liver issues that may have developed during his absence. Santiago expressed concern for Bam Bam’s psychological well-being, noting that the dog had endured a traumatic experience.
Still, the relief of having his companion back was overwhelming. “No matter how many times I fall, I always get up,” Santiago said, kissing Bam Bam on the neck as they reunited. The circumstances of Bam Bam’s return remain shrouded in mystery. Chicago police are still investigating the theft, and no arrests have been made. The unidentified man and woman who dropped Bam Bam off at the police station refused to provide any information, leaving detectives to piece together how the dog ended up in their possession.
While some speculate that the pair may have been involved in the theft, others believe they could have found or purchased Bam Bam without knowing his history. The fact that Bam Bam was well-cared for during his absence suggests he was not mistreated, but the lack of answers leaves Santiago and his supporters with lingering questions. The story of Bam Bam’s return underscores the critical role of microchipping in reuniting lost or stolen pets with their owners.
Celene Mielcarek, head of program operations at PAWS Chicago, emphasized the importance of keeping microchip information up to date. “This animal was able to be scanned for a chip, and that contact information was there to help reunite the animal with his owner,” she said. The case also highlights the unique challenges of stolen pet cases, which differ from lost pets due to human involvement. Michael Davis of Best Furry Friend Pet Rescue noted that stolen dogs can end up in unpredictable situations, making reunions like Bam Bam’s “miraculous.”
The outpouring of support for Santiago and Bam Bam reflects the power of community in times of crisis. From the volunteers who canvassed neighborhoods to the strangers who donated to the GoFundMe, the collective effort helped keep Bam Bam’s story alive until he was found.
Amy Pasalich, in an update on the GoFundMe page on August 20, expressed gratitude to everyone involved: “Out of respect for their privacy, we won’t be sharing every detail, but what matters most is that Angel and Bam Bam are safe and together again.” The funds raised will continue to support Santiago, covering veterinary costs and other expenses incurred during the search.
This heartwarming reunion serves as a reminder of the deep bond between humans and their pets, especially for those who rely on animals for emotional and physical support. For Angel Santiago, Bam Bam is not just a dog but a lifeline, a source of joy, and a symbol of resilience.
As he held his dachshund close, Santiago’s words to the Chicago Tribune captured the essence of their story: “My Bam Bam is my world. I don’t care how far I had to walk, day and night. I don’t care how many times I fell down.” The safe return of Bam Bam is a testament to the power of hope, determination, and the kindness of strangers, proving that even in the face of cruelty, love can prevail.