Betsy discovered a tiny hole in a fenced yard and managed to squeeze under it, escaping while she and her mom were visiting friends in Frelinghuysen, NJ.
Once free, Betsy began to explore her new environment, darting through the expansive woods, fields, and nearby horse farms and on occasion finding joy rolling through piles of manure. As is my practice when starting a new case, I ensured that search parties were called off to quiet the area; this prevents the dog from feeling pursued. I may sound repetitive, but I can't emphasize enough how crucial it is to minimize activity in the area to encourage these dogs to seek safety without feeling pressured to flee.
I was out working on another case and couldn’t arrive until the following morning. In the meantime, I instructed Betsy’s family to leave food out in front of their house, confident that she would return. With no cameras on the property, we couldn't determine who was consuming the food; wildlife was abundant there. However, when I arrived at 6 AM the next day, I was relieved to find her back in their large fenced yard. She had squeezed through the same hole she had escaped from, and unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to block it before she could escape again.
We set traps and continued monitoring the sightings that poured in throughout the day as we awaited nightfall. Once darkness fell, I knew Betsy would feel more secure returning to the property and would likely approach one of the traps.
That night, we encountered the usual wildlife suspects—foxes, opossums, raccoons, and coyotes. Dealing with wildlife is inevitable and unavoidable when trapping lost dogs. While they can complicate the process, it’s essential to remember that we share this space with them, and they, too, are just trying to survive.
Finally, around 11:30 PM, little Betsy appeared. After ensuring the coast was clear and that no one was watching, she confidently walked right into the trap for the irresistible stinky food.
There’s no better feeling than calling a
pet owner and saying, “We got her!”
I’d like to extend my gratitude to ACO Bonnie for helping me carry the heavy traps and for her assistance. A special thanks to Patty Everswick for monitoring the local Facebook pages for sightings and passing them along to me. Patty, having recently worked with me to find her own missing dog, knew exactly how to guide others in posting sightings on social media. I truly appreciate both of you women more than you know.
Welcome HOME Betsy!
