Found with "Free" and "I need a home" written on her, dog's owner comes forward

CALIFORNIA (WITI) -- Found one week ago, with the words "free" and "I need a home" written on her body in permanent marker -- an abandoned dog's owner has now come forward.

Yahoo News reports police in Benicia, California say a woman has provided photos, veterinarian records, and witness testimony proving she's the dog's owner.

Yahoo News reports the woman told police the dog escaped her yard, and she has no idea how the dog was able to make it 60 miles south -- where she was discovered by a bartender in Benicia.

The bartender says she spotted the dog, tied to a tree.

"She was scared, shaking and kind of whimpering. I was heartbroken. It was really sad. Nobody wants to see an animal like that ever," the bartender said.

The bartender took the dog home and cared for her while trying to find her owner.

She had planned to adopt the dog if her owner couldn't be located.

"You could have easily found a home for a dog like this if you really gave it half an effort," the bartender said.

Police are saying they do not believe the dog's owner had anything to do with its abandonment.

An investigation is underway to determine how, exactly, the dog went missing.

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