Dog Survives 100-Mile Journey In Engine Of Pickup Truck

SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com) — A 25-pound dog is lucky to be alive after he survived a 110-mile journey in the engine compartment of a pickup truck.

KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports officials with the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter say the pup, a mixed Keeshond, hitched a ride Monday from Chino to Orange to Camp Pendleton to San Clemente.

Jaime Magaña, 52, had no idea the dog was in his Chevy Silverado's engine until he stopped for lunch and noticed the vehicle was still moving after it had been parked, the paper said.

Magaña opened the hood and found the dog, now named Chevy, in the front part of the engine.

"I came out of my truck...and saw fur sticking out from there...and almost passed out," said Magaña, as he pointed under the front of the truck.

"To my surprise, when I opened up the hood, he gave me sort of like a smile and I took a picture right away," Magaña said.

Kim Cholodenko, general manager at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter, said despite temperatures breaking triple digits on Monday, the dog was relatively unharmed.

"There is a chance of overheating as to where he was located, and he didn't show any signs of any problems once
he was removed from that compartment, and we were thrilled," Cholodenko said.

Officials are now looking for his owner. If Chevy is not claimed in five days, he will be available for adoption.

When asked if he'd be willing to adopt Chevy Magaña said,"I want this dog, yes."