We were contacted by members of the public to help a stray dog seen running scared in Swinton M27. She had been sighted since at least the 3rd July, several times being sighted on the East Lancs road which is a high speed dual carriageway. She had a strap hanging from her neck and it looked like she had been tied up and abandoned only to bite her way through the strap to free herself.
After we received numerous messages from the public to help this dog we printed and laminated 300 posters. We then heavily postered the areas where she had been sighted and further afield. We placed feed stations with remote live cameras in order to be able to eventually humanely trap her. Many people tried to catch her, especially when she was running on the busy roads but she ran even faster in order to get away.
On the evening of Wednesday 10th July, we received a call that she was in someone’s garden. We were out postering and nearby so we headed straight there. She was still in the garden keeping her distance. I managed to feed her but she would not come close enough for me to put the lead on her. After a few hours, we left, hoping that she would stay in the garden (it could not be made secure) and if she didn’t then at least come back knowing there was a food source there which would lead to her being humanely trapped.
The following day, Thursday 11th July, I went back and she was still there. She seemed a bit more confident and came nearer to me so she was taking food from my hand but still not close enough for me to get the lead on her. I quickly set the humane trap while she was still there. This was a risk that it would scare her away but I had to take that chance. As soon as it was set she walked straight in for the food and she was safe!
Following events proved that she had indeed been tied up and abandoned. She was a very nervous dog. a cross Cane Corso, but she bonded quickly with me while I was waiting for help to put her and the trap in my vehicle. She is now in Manchester Dogs Home awaiting to be adopted.
