Porter, a chocolate lab, ran off after a car crash Wednesday on state Route 86. (Provided photo)

HARRIETSTOWN — A search is underway for a missing dog near Donnelly’s Corners. Porter, a chocolate lab whose adopted mother died recently, ran off after a car crash near the intersection of state routes 186 and 86 on Wednesday afternoon.

Locals are joining search parties, a drone operator from New Hampshire who specializes in animal searches is driving up with thermal imaging and residents are being asked to keep an eye out.

If found, people are told not to approach Porter as he may be afraid or injured. They are asked to call 518-637-4114, 838-207-3629 or 518-354-8099.

Dan Bain, the founder and director of the Joshua Fund — a licensed dog rescue nonprofit based in Jay — said Kim Shanty adopted Porter from the Joshua Fund in 2023. Kim was the “poster child” for adopters — 100% of what he looks for in a dog owner, he said.

“Kim was one of the ones who stood out,” he said. “Porter was her world.”

She went everywhere with her furry companion. Kim even volunteered for the fund.

Kim died unexpectedly on Aug. 4 at her home in Saranac Lake. She was 40.

Porter has been staying with Kim’s family. On Wednesday, Kim’s sister Tiffany was involved in a two-car crash and Porter got loose.

According to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, it was a two-car collision near 1496 state Route 86 at 2:52 p.m. Firefighters said the cause of the crash is still under investigation by State Police.

Bain said Tiffany suffered minor injuries in the crash. He said they are unsure if Porter was injured. They’re also not sure how Porter squeezed out of the partially rolled down window.

He was last seen in the field behind Donnelly’s, Bain said.

“This is the last thing we have of my daughter,” Kim and Tiffany’s mother Jane said.

Porter was wearing a orange collar and green retractable leash. Bain said the leash could be an “anchor” if it gets caught on something. He said Porter has a tag and a microchip. The chip is not connected to GPS, but can be scanned to open his listing in a database.

“It’s very difficult to find a scared dog in a strange area,” Bain said.

The family does not live far away, but Porter is not used to the area.

At the same time, local state and federal law enforcement agencies are searching the woods down the road for a homicide suspect who has been on the run for five days. The police are doing their search with officers, bloodhounds and thermal imaging drones.