Missing Dog Returned Home After Three Days
A local dog with small-town celebrity status has been safely returned home after being missing since Monday.
Machete is a 9-year-old brown pitbull that can usually be seen walking around Falmouth with his owner, Noel Malloy.
Noel, who prefers using only his first name, is himself a recognizable character, with his long white beard and friendly demeanor, but it is Machete who is really the star of the show. Known by many as a loving and playful dog up and down Main Street, Machete has earned the love of the community that has put in the work this week to make sure he returned home.
Machete went missing on Monday, May 2, around noon in the area of Mill Road off Surf Drive. When he did not come home like he always did, Noel grew concerned and reported him missing. Reports placed him in the area of The 99 restaurant on Davis Straits around 7 PM on Wednesday, and he was finally reunited with Noel just before noon on Thursday after being seen near the sanctuary area by Salt Pond off of Mill Road.
Noel said, on behalf of himself and Machete, that they are both extremely grateful to the community for their willingness to help, for days-long search efforts and the general love that has been shown to Machete over the years. He is very happy to have Machete home.
“Machete is a sweet, sweet boy,” said Patricia (Patti) Riccardelli, a friend of Noel’s. “Ask anybody who’s ever met him. He is just the gentlest soul. Machete walked up to a couple sitting on the beach, just walked up and put his head in their lap, and they were like, ‘Oh, he is such a nice dog.’ He’s just an endearing dog.”
Ms. Riccardelli first met Noel and Machete on a hot summer day outside of the Stop & Shop in town. She stopped to give Machete water and struck up a conversation with Noel.
“They were walking home, and it was about 100 degrees, and I said to them, ‘Can I give you gentlemen a ride?’ So I took [them] home, and we got to be friends,” Ms. Riccardelli said. “I’ve taken him to the beach to run with the dogs, I have an adopted dog, and our dogs are good friends. I’ve just befriended him and I think it’s good for both of us.”
Because both he and Noel are so well-known and recognized in town, Machete’s absence had caught the attention of many residents around town who quickly began to assist with search efforts. Calls were placed, flyers posted and many took drives around town, all with finding Machete in mind.
“The chamber of commerce called me and said this is going viral,” Ms. Riccardelli said. “Everybody on Main Street [was] calling the chamber of commerce asking if they’ve found him yet because, of course, everybody knows him.”
Those who do know Machete attest to his big heart and friendly demeanor, which have made him a regular customer at many of Main Street’s shops. He is known for rolling around on the carpet in Board Stiff and visiting friends at the Black Dog, all while accepting treats and snuggles along the way.
“Machete is Noel’s life,” Ms. Riccardelli said. Before learning the good news, she said, “I’m pretty sure this dog is going to be celebrated on Main Street [when] he’s found.”