Priscilla Maldonado was in town with her family for the holiday and was near the city's Town Clock, located at North Pacific Avenue and Water Street, according to police.
When fireworks went off at midnight, the family dog ran away and Priscilla chased after it. She and her family are from Los Banos and were not familiar with Santa Cruz.
The dog had been found on a beach in the city at about 5 a.m., but Priscilla was not with it. However, she was found safe at a home at 12:30 p.m., police said.
