After getting spooked while out for a walk, and subsequently going on the run for 13 days, Moonie, the two-and-a-half year old whoodle (cross between a Wheaton terrier and a poodle) was finally lured by community members into a trap that possessed a whole roasted chicken inside.
In April, Moonie had been seized by BC SPCA along with many other dogs that were in terrible condition, according to Moonie's owner Beth.
The canine was brought back to health, spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and adopted by Beth, who lives in Williams Lake.
In June, while Moonie was staying with family members in the qathet region, the canine bolted while out for a walk.
That's when the saying, "it takes a village" really came to life. Sara Mitchell-Banks, who was part of the rescue effort, detailed what had happened in an email to the Peak.
"A group of local animal lovers, many of whom didn't know each other, came together with patience and determination and came up with a plan to rescue Moonie," wrote Mitchell-Banks.
Not everyone likes social media, but message boards can come in handy when trying to rally people or get an urgent need or message out to the public. After seeing the online message, both Pat Townsley and Mitchell-Banks immediately went to investigate.
Mitchell-Banks said she walked around the area where Moonie had gone missing but didn't have any luck spotting the fearful canine. Townsley drove up during the night to see if she could catch a glimpse of the lost dog, but no luck.
The two then met with Beth's family and neighbours who were keeping an eye on the dog's whereabouts, and there were plenty of sightings of Moonie.
According to the American Kennel Club, someone could be out walking their dog, and that canine may smell or hear something a human is not even aware of. Truck noises or cars backfiring can cause a fear reaction.
Mitchell-Banks said Townsley realized that a trap would be needed to catch Moonie since nothing else seemed to be working. Townsley began making phone calls and found out that most SPCA locations didn't have dog traps to lend out.
However, Mitchell-Banks said Townsley's detective work paid off when she was put in touch with Jacquie Bourdon from the Comox/Courtenay area.
"Arrangements were made to ship a dog trap and camera over to Powell River," said Mitchell-Banks. "For three days and nights, after trapping at least seven cats, Moonie came by the traps but wouldn't enter them."
By that time, rescuers and volunteer searchers for the lost canine were tired. Bourdon decided to come across the water with another trap and camera.
Folks kept an eye out for the dog and that made it easier for the rescuers to determine where Moonie would be. Mitchell-Banks said the trap was laid out with a lot of tantalizing treats, such as a roast chicken.
Within 24 hours the dog was found with Bourdon and Mitchell-Banks standing near the traps.
"We were overjoyed to find Moonie in the trap, thin and mucky but safe and sound," said Mitchell-Banks. "Without Jacquie, her traps, cameras and expertise, Moonie may not have made it much longer."
Mitchell-Banks said it really did take a village to rescue Moonie. She said that a neighbour, Valerie Cody-Lane, kept an eye out for Moonie and allowed the rescuers to leave a trap at her place while they were setting up.
"I wanted to also acknowledge a woman called Sienna Edlund who was one of the very few people who actually offered several times to come out during the night and early hours to watch the trap," said Mitchell-Banks. "Vanessa Kosloski told us that she had spotted Moonie several times and she also, along with Monica Pagani, allowed us to set up the traps on their properties."
Mitchell-Banks is planning to launch a fundraising campaign to raise money for a couple of dog traps, cameras and supplies to be used in the qathet area. Anyone interested in donating or who has questions can email her at [email protected].
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