Golden Retriever Bella Escapes Crash Scene, Last Spotted Near Dobbs Creek

A golden retriever named Bella broke loose from a vehicle involved in a crash Thursday morning at the corner of Dahlonega Street and Pilgrim Road in Cumming and fled before anyone at the scene could stop her. She was last spotted near Dobbs Creek Recreation Center at approximately 11 a.m.

The recreation center sits close enough to the crash intersection that Bella covered the distance quickly after the collision. Frightened dogs typically keep moving, and the neighborhoods fanning out from Dobbs Creek Road toward Pilgrim Road represent the most likely search corridor right now. Anyone in that stretch of Cumming should check garages, sheds, and wooded fencelines where a scared animal would seek cover.

If Bella is spotted, do not chase her. A panicked dog will run faster when pursued. Instead, crouch low, call her name calmly, and offer food or a treat to draw her in. Once she is secure, call the Cumming Police Department's non-emergency dispatch at 770-781-2000 and press option 1 to report the exact location.

When a stray dog is brought in by a resident or picked up by Forsyth County animal services, it is transported to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Pet Adoption and Resource Center at 4065 County Way in Cumming. Staff scan every incoming animal for a microchip; under Georgia law, that chip and its registered contact information represent the fastest route back to an owner. Per Georgia law, the Humane Society of Forsyth County cannot accept stray animals directly, meaning the Sheriff's Office center is the correct intake point. Bella's owner should contact that facility directly and file a lost-pet report in addition to coordinating with Cumming PD.

The first few hours after an escape are the most critical. In the time it takes to read this, a neighbor within a mile of Dobbs Creek Recreation Center can check their yard and outbuildings, leave out water and food near a front porch, and place a worn blanket or familiar-scented item near a gate to attract a dog looking for comfort. Posting Bella's description, a golden retriever last seen near Dobbs Creek Recreation Center around 11 a.m. on April 9, to Forsyth County Facebook groups and Nextdoor takes under two minutes and can put her description in front of thousands of neighbors simultaneously.

The Cumming Police Department's non-emergency line, 770-781-2000, is the single reporting contact for all sightings. Every tip with a street name and time narrows the search radius and brings Bella's owner closer to finding her.