Request Suggestions.

[Abandoned]

Since early Augest, I've been feeding a mid sized animal that has taken residence in the woods near my home. After much searching, news paper adds, and notices on telephone poles, I found the dogs history. His story, like so many others, is sad. Abused and beaten by his first home he ran away and was found and taken in by a dog sledding team. Just as with most abused animals, he was deathly afraid of people. For a few months he was used as a sled dog and just as he began to trust in a certian person he got lost. Roughly 3 years ago he was hit by a car and has since stayed the woods. Being fed by numerous people, he stayed alive. I located him one day by chance after a friend showed me the damage to his vehicle as he had hit a white dog. I went up to the area the animal was hit and saw a large white animal, half dead, lying with half his body in a stream. My first thought was to run to his aid and logic quickly stopped me as he attempted to gain his feet. I left knowing he wanted nothing to do with me. I returned awhile later with kibble. He was gone but I left it just in case. Its january and I still feed him. Once or twice a month I see him hobbling about the snow covered area where his food is always left. He still runs in fear.

Sorry for the long post. It makes me sad to know he lives alone in the cold winter, howls at night, and possibly suffers the affects of broken bones. I wonder if anyone, has any suggestions on how I can gain this animals trust. I would addopt him in a momment and so would many others. Long ago I sent an email to Stanly Corben and never recieved a reply.

[PitBullie09]

Could you call a rescue or something? Is it a dog or what?

[Abandoned]

I have phoned rescue people but they refuse to attempt to remove him because he is not a danger to anyone. Plus, how would they catch him?

[Rip's Girl]

Animal Control won't capture a dog that is running at large?!

[flyndog]

Hmmm. That's quite a story. You'd think animal control would read the newspapers and phone poles! A dog that is cold, howls at night, has broken bones, and is afraid of people sounds like an accident waiting to happen!

[Carrie]

Oh, that is such a sad story. If animal control won't help, I wonder if (long stretch) you could contact a veterinarian who works with large animals. They often have tranquilizer guns and although that would give the poor dog an initial scare, he could be put in a holding place, so that people are safe. (just in case he's dangerous) Then perhaps he could be rehabilitated with food, warmth etc... to trust someone. It would be a very gradual process, if it would work at all. Just a shot in the dark. (excuse the pun)

[Abandoned]

Its kind of ironic. Since nobody has been attacked, the lazy locals refuse to do anything. People complained(myself included) when he was noticed as barking. Yikes. Now, people know his story and have learned to live with him.

[Carrie]

Well, he's not likely to attack unless he feels cornered or threatened. When trying to capture him, he may feel sufficiently compromised and untrusting to bite. To save this dog from living in this way, he'll have to be captured and caution would have to be the word. I hope something good will come of his life.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I agree with your post Carrie. Hopefully someone he could contact such as the vet, could help him. If it were me, I'd sleep outside and give him all the yummy food I could to try and help gain his trust.

[Ritz459]

If you were trying to catch him, (I don't know what you want help with), maybe dog trap (like a huge racoon trap) would work? It wouldn't hurt him and then once he is in you could take him to the vet? I have no idea what I would do.....that is a sad story and I feel for the dog....

[Abandoned]

This is kind of odd, last night, my parents claim to have seen him on the front sidewalk. When they came to the window he fled, but its kinda neat to know he's close.

[Carrie]

Well....I bet if they put food out every day, he'll get more and more trusting. Then maybe eventually he'll eat from someone's hand and from there, who knows?

[boxerlover]

Strange story.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I agree Carrie. Interesting to here he's comming around.

Ritz, the cage is a good idea but with the trauma this dog has suffered, IMO I think it would scare the dog more. It then will learn if it comes for food in that area, something again bad will happen, and it would be in a situation where it could not defend itself. I think the tranquilizer gun would be a more sufficient way, because the dog will not see where it came from.

[oc_spirit]

What about placing a plastic crate near where you feed him but now overly close and then gradually move the food bowl closer to the crate and then just inside and slowly move it to the back. Once he trusts the crate it would give him a place of his own to help protect from the elements then when he gets really comfortable you could attach a rope to the door long enough to reach all the way to a hiding spot for you, when he comes to eat and goes in the crate you pull the rope so the door swings shut and then you run over and lock it before he gets out. Then he can be transported to a safe spot where you can work on building his trust. However the tranquilizer idea would be a lot safer for you and I recommend trying that first.

Cheers!