A Jacksonville veteran is begging neighbors in East Arlington to help him find his service dog, Mal'i, after she was hit by a truck and bolted in fear on Saturday morning near the Lux Apartments at Kernan and Atlantic boulevards. The brown-and-tan American Staffordshire Terrier is believed to be hurt, scared and trying to navigate a neighborhood she does not know.
According to News4JAX, Scott Baker, a military veteran who told the station he is from Iowa, said a driver struck Mal'i around 7:30 a.m. outside the Lux Apartments and then left the scene. "I just need anybody that can, that has seen her, to call me," Baker told the station.
News4JAX reports that Mal'i is wearing a black collar with Baker's military dog tags and is microchipped. Baker shared his phone number, 805-512-1860, and warned that she may be skittish because of her injuries. He is asking anyone who spots her not to chase or grab her, but to call so he can get to her and arrange immediate veterinary care.
Where Mal'i Was Last Seen
Baker said he ran after Mal'i for a short distance before losing sight of her near the Cinemark at the Atlantic North shopping center on Atlantic Boulevard. The theater is listed at 11567 Atlantic Blvd, according to a Cinemark press release.
Police Response
Baker says he has filed a report with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, which is asking anyone with details about the vehicle that struck Mal'i to call its non-emergency line. The City of Jacksonville directs residents to call 904-630-0500 for public-safety tips or to reach Animal Care & Protective Services for animal emergencies, and the city's guidance lists JSO's non-emergency number as the contact for after-hours animal issues.
Why This Matters
Baker told the station that Mal'i is his only service dog and that she wakes him when he is having an episode, making her disappearance an immediate concern for his health and safety. He says he will not go home without her and is urging neighbors to check their yards, keep an eye on nearby wooded areas and report any sightings to him or to the sheriff's office.
