FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Maria Helena Lugo says the past three weeks have been an emotional struggle as she fought to get her dog, Coco, back.

Lugo, who speaks only Spanish, said someone found Coco and brought him to Sandy Paws K-9 Rescue in Fort Lauderdale. But when she went to claim him, the rescue said she did not have enough proof of ownership to take him home.

“When the deputy arrived, he told me to stay outside while he went in to see what was going on,” Lugo said in Spanish.

Desperate for help, Lugo reached out to Local 10 News.

A meeting was arranged in Fort Lauderdale, where Lugo was finally reunited with Coco.

After facing criticism on social media, Sandy Paws Canine Rescue explained why the dog was not released sooner.

“We contacted the initial person who owned the microchip, which was his original breeder. It was a man who was not connected to the family whatsoever,” said Desiree Remington, vice president of Sandy Paws Canine Rescue.

Remington said a few days later, Lugo’s son contacted the rescue, claiming the dog belonged to their family.

“The police advised us we did not need to give her the dog because she didn’t have proof of ownership,” Remington said.

She said everything changed after the rescue saw photos on social media clearly showing Coco with Lugo and her family, providing the additional evidence needed to confirm ownership.

That’s when the long-awaited reunion finally happened.

“There were too many conflicting stories for us to simply hand the dog over the first time she came to our residence,” Remington said.

With Coco back in her arms, Lugo said she was overwhelmed with relief.

“I’m so happy. I feel like I’ve gotten my life back. You can’t imagine what these 15 days without my dog have been like. I’ve suffered so much,” she said.

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