Mom searches for autistic son’s missing service dog

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — A Madison County mom pleads for help after her autistic son’s service dog goes missing. The mom reached out to WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News to help find the dog.

Fliers posted across Madison County beg for information about a missing service dog. “All I do with every spare moment is put up fliers, ask people have they seen her, try to find a way to find her,” Kari Robertson said.

Robertson said her 16-month-old chocolate lab mix, named Vilent, disappeared Sunday near the intersection of Steam Mill Ferry and Alcaro Road. “Whenever I did go after her, she wasn’t here,” Robertson said. “She wasn’t anywhere. I couldn’t find her anywhere.”

Robertson said her 15-year-old autistic son, Percy, is non-verbal and that Vilent helps her keep him close by and safe. “She gives me peace about my child,” Robertson said. “She watches over him.”

Robertson said she searched the neighborhood and even filed a report with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Robertson said Vilent likely took off after another animal, but she believes it is possible someone took her. “Anything to bring her back, I just want her home,” she said. “I don’t care, I just want her home. I don’t care what happened. I just want her home.”

Robertson said the dog had on a purple collar and a pink ID tag with her name and Robertson’s phone number on the back. “I can’t sleep,” she said. “There’s just so much going through my mind.”

Robertson said there is a reward for any information that leads to Vilent’s safe return.

If you have seen Vilent or have any information about her disappearance, contact Robertson at solutionsofjackson@gmail.com or the WBBJ newsroom at news@wbbjtv.com.