Missing Pit Bull 'Misty' Found Safe, Back Home In New Jersey

RIVERDALE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Who doesn't like bacon?

A rescued pit bull puppy that had been missing since Friday has been found safe and is back at home -- thanks to bacon.

Misty, a 6-month-old puppy, was being walked in Riverdale when she became fixated on a bird and took off, according to Second Chance Rescue. She darted into the woods and was out of sight in moments.

The young pup was rescued in April when she was found with serious injuries and bite wounds all over her face and body.

She is believed to have been used as a bait dog for dog fighting and was helped by students at the Stephen Gaynor school in Manhattan who raised more than $800 for her care.

Jackie O'Sullivan with Second Chance Rescue said volunteers searched for Misty, set up traps and brought in a scent dog to try to track Misty's path over the weekend.

A painstaking search in the woods proved unsuccessful, Misty's foster mom, Erin Earley, said.

"I've had ticks on me, I've fallen today twice, I broke my iPhone – which was our one source of information – from falling off of rocks," she said.

After searching the woods, Earley told 1010 WINS' Susan Richard they tried a new approach.

"One of the suggestions that we got for today since it was sunny was to cook bacon," said Earley, who is a vegan. "I would never normally cook bacon. We don't have any of that in my house. So my brother and my cousin went out and got bacon and sure enough out she came."

It was a case of life imitating the famous commercial for Beggin' Strips dog treats, Earley said.

"It's unbelievable," she said.

"We don't know where she's been traveling and she's completely fine," Earley said. "She doesn't even have a tick on her."

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