Missing California dog found in Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A dog that disappeared from his southern California home and mysteriously wound up in Missouri has been reunited with his owner with the help of a chain of volunteers.

The Kansas City Star reported the Bernese mountain dog, named Topper, was brought into the city shelter in July after a Kansas City police officer suffered a "minor bite" during an arrest. Topper's microchip led staff to his owner, Tom Huffman of El Cajon, California.

He didn't have the money to travel to Kansas City, so volunteers stepped up to help Topper make the 1,500 mile trip home. Huffman's mother, Roderica Huffman, said the family thought they'd never see Topper again. They suspect someone took Topper while a friend was watching him.