Gone with the wind, found with the bros: Beloved missing dog shows up at frat house 5 years later

Fox News - May 3rd, 2025

Kingston, an 11-year-old Yorkshire terrier, was reunited with his owner, Debbie LaFleur, after being lost for five years. The dog had vanished during Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana, only to reappear on the porch of the Kappa Sigma fraternity house at the University of Southern Mississippi. The fraternity brothers, who initially named him 'Benji,' discovered his true identity through a microchip scan and contacted LaFleur. Overjoyed, she quickly made the trip to Mississippi for a heartfelt reunion.

The story highlights the resilience of small dogs like Kingston, who survived numerous challenges over the years. It also underscores the importance of microchipping pets, as it played a crucial role in reuniting Kingston with his family. The fraternity brothers were praised for their kindness and responsibility in ensuring the dog's safe return. This emotional reunion brings closure to LaFleur, especially poignant as Kingston belonged to her and her late husband, adding a layer of sentimentality to the story.

Yorkshire Terrier Kingston Debbie La Fleur Hurricane Laura Kappa Sigma Fraternity University Of Southern Mississippi Lake Charles, Louisiana Pet Reunion Microchip Identification

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article is a well-crafted and engaging narrative that successfully captures the emotional reunion of a lost pet with its owner. It scores highly in clarity, readability, and engagement, effectively drawing readers into the story. The use of credible sources and firsthand accounts strengthens its accuracy, although some gaps in the journey of Kingston and the origin of the red T-shirt leave room for further investigation. While the story is unlikely to drive significant societal impact or controversy, it resonates with readers on a personal level, particularly pet owners and animal lovers. Overall, the article balances factual reporting with an emotional human interest angle, making it a compelling read.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, with most of the key events and details corroborated by multiple sources. The central narrative of Kingston, a Yorkshire terrier, disappearing during Hurricane Laura and reappearing five years later at a fraternity house is well-documented. The microchip verification and emotional reunion are consistent with external reports. However, there are some gaps, such as the unexplained journey of Kingston over 300 miles and the origin of the red T-shirt he was wearing, which remain unverified. These elements, while not undermining the core story, do leave room for further investigation.

Balance

The story presents a balanced view by including perspectives from both the fraternity members and the dog's owner, Debbie LaFleur. It highlights the fraternity's role in taking care of Kingston and their efforts to reunite him with his owner. However, the story could have included more perspectives, such as comments from animal behavior experts on how dogs survive long periods alone, or insights from local authorities on missing pets during natural disasters. The omission of these viewpoints slightly limits the story's balance.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and engaging narrative that guides the reader through the events. The language is straightforward, and the story is structured logically, making it easy to follow. The use of direct quotes adds to the story's vividness and helps convey the emotional impact of the reunion. The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, which aids in clarity and comprehension. Overall, the clarity of the article is excellent.

Source quality

The article references credible sources such as KBTX, CNN, and KPLC, which adds to the reliability of the information presented. The quotes from Neal Rachal, the fraternity president, and Debbie LaFleur provide firsthand accounts that enhance the story's authenticity. However, the lack of direct comments from animal experts or local authorities leaves some areas less substantiated. Overall, the source quality is strong, but could be improved with a broader range of expert opinions.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its narrative, clearly stating the sequence of events and the sources of information. It provides a detailed account of how the fraternity discovered Kingston and verified his identity through a microchip. However, the story does not disclose the methodology behind verifying some of the more speculative claims, such as Kingston's survival and journey. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the reader's understanding and trust in the story.