A canine conundrum that captivated a community has finally reached a happy ending. After eluding capture for months, the “dog with a box on its head” was caught and has been adopted by his rescuer for a happily ever after story.
According to The City of Mobile Animal Services Facebook, the dog had become a local legend; not for heroic deeds, but for his impressive ability to dodge capture – all the while sporting a cumbersome cardboard box stuck on his head. Animal control officers tried everything – nets, traps, even tranquilizers – but the elusive canine, later named Bear, outsmarted them all.
Volunteers and members of the community didn’t give up though, and continued to try and trap Bear, but no one could get close enough to help free him. Shelter staff had been working with a local veterinarian, who had been making plans to tranquilize the dog in order to remove the box. His headwear, though a hindrance, seemed to serve as an unexpected armor against capture attempts, however perseverance paid off.
Enter Martin Miller, a volunteer with the City of Mobile Animal Services. After countless failed attempts by the team, Miller decided on a more unorthodox approach. Utilizing barricades to funnel Bear into a smaller area, Miller took a chance. As the dog sprinted past, Miller managed to yank the box free, finally revealing a bewildered but (according to Miller) “sweet” pup.
With his vision restored, Bear was finally susceptible to a standard kennel trap. But the story doesn’t end there. After the box was removed, Bear ran away again.
Finally! Bear was safely apprehended:
BEAR HAS MADE IT TO COMAS! BEAR, THE CANE CORSO KNOWN FOR PREVIOUSLY HAVING A BOX STUCK ON HIS HEAD, WAS CAUGHT BY OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS OVER THE WEEKEND. HE IS A SWEET GENTLEMAN, AND HE’S IN GOOD HEALTH. HE IS CURRENTLY ON A STRAY HOLD.
THANK YOU TO OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK!
Animal Control
The bond forged during the dramatic box removal seemed to resonate with Miller. He saw a scared animal, not just a capture. So, after a period of evaluation and care at the shelter, Miller did something extraordinary – he adopted Bear.
“The best word for that dog is a ninja,” Miller said jokingly to a local news station [WRKG], referencing Bear’s escape artistry. Now, Bear is no longer dodging capture; he’s dodging frisbees and conquering cuddles as the newest member of the Miller household.
This heartwarming story is a testament to the unwavering dedication of animal rescuers and the unexpected connections that can blossom from even the most unusual circumstances.
(Photos via Martin Miller’s FB and City of Mobile Animal Services)
Read the original coverage of Bear’s plight here.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
