A rapid-transit-loving pooch, who hopped onto a Staten Island bus and almost charmed the driver into a free trip, is waiting for her next ride at the local animal shelter.
The pooch, named Lil Lotta by staffers at NYC Animal Care and Control, appears to be healthy and in good condition, according to spokesman Richard Gentles.
"We think she is owned," said Gentles, noting her white coat was clean.
The 4-year-old American bulldog mix was not wearing a collar when she boarded the S94 bus early Wednesday morning as it stopped to pick up passengers at Richmond Ave. and Deppe Place.
She strutted past more than a dozen stunned passengers and made herself comfortable on the back bench, MTA officials said.
[h=4]NYCT[/h][h=4]Lil Lotta likely belongs to someone, animal control says. The microchip under her fur yielded no information because it wasn’t registered.[/h]
Bus operator Deborah Samuels called dispatcher Stuart Schenker to the scene and contacted police. Cops brought the friendly pooch to AC&C’s Staten Island shelter.
"She's a wonderful dog,” said Schenker, who snapped photos of the pup showering Samuels with kisses. “I'm sure there is someone out there who is missing her."
The microchip embedded under her fur did not yield any information because it was never registered, Gentles said.
"We're trying to stress the importance of licensing your dog and registering microchips," said Gentles, who is asking the owner of the pooch to come down to AC&C's Staten Island shelter at 3139 Veterans Road West.
The pooch, named Lil Lotta by staffers at NYC Animal Care and Control, appears to be healthy and in good condition, according to spokesman Richard Gentles.
"We think she is owned," said Gentles, noting her white coat was clean.
The 4-year-old American bulldog mix was not wearing a collar when she boarded the S94 bus early Wednesday morning as it stopped to pick up passengers at Richmond Ave. and Deppe Place.
She strutted past more than a dozen stunned passengers and made herself comfortable on the back bench, MTA officials said.
Bus operator Deborah Samuels called dispatcher Stuart Schenker to the scene and contacted police. Cops brought the friendly pooch to AC&C’s Staten Island shelter.
"She's a wonderful dog,” said Schenker, who snapped photos of the pup showering Samuels with kisses. “I'm sure there is someone out there who is missing her."
The microchip embedded under her fur did not yield any information because it was never registered, Gentles said.
"We're trying to stress the importance of licensing your dog and registering microchips," said Gentles, who is asking the owner of the pooch to come down to AC&C's Staten Island shelter at 3139 Veterans Road West.
