On Easter Sunday, I received a call for assistance from Animal Control Officer Kasey at AHS-Newark Branch regarding a stray pitbull in the Amtrak service yard in Rahway, NJ. This dog, along with another female thought to be her sister, had been abandoned in the area earlier that week. While animal control managed to secure the sister, this girl proved elusive, running along the perilous train tracks and hiding in tunnels, even taking refuge in the tunnels arches as trains sped by.
For several days, she disappeared completely, raising our concerns that she may have been struck by a train in one of the tunnels. Thankfully, after several days we finally received a sighting; she was spotted in a neighborhood adjacent to the Robinson’s Branch River. We acted quickly, setting up traps and feeding stations to help her feel comfortable. However, we encountered a confrontational man who wanted to be the one to catch her. Despite our desperate explanations that chasing and shouting at her would only scare her away and create further danger, our pleas went unheard. He escalated the situation, trespassing on private property and forcing us to call the police multiple times. Sadly, his reckless behavior caused her to flee the area once again, undoing all our hard work.
Eventually, sightings resumed, and we set up feeding stations on both sides of the river, working around the clock to get her settled. While well-meaning individuals continued to chase her and leave food, this only hindered our efforts and delayed her capture. This dog was savvy to traps, which required us to patiently condition her to enter the enclosure. On the day of capture, we set the enclosure and, like clockwork, at 3 PM, she emerged for food. She did her usual dance in and out until she eventually made her way to the back, allowing the door to slam shut behind her.
After nearly a month on the run, on this beautiful Mother’s Day, our elusive girl was finally caught. We have aptly named her Eve—the biblical Eve, the first woman on earth, the first wife, and the first mother, known as the "Mother of All the Living."
This rescue wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering love and dedication of Animal Control Officer Kasey Digirolamo, as well as property owners Kathy Wargo, Ed Taylor, and Precious Cruz, who generously allowed us to set up cameras, food, traps, and enclosures. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who reported sightings. Eve is now safe and sound at AHS Newark and will be reunited with her sister.
If there’s one key takeaway from Eve’s story, please remember: stop chasing lost dogs. If you know that people are working to bring these animals to safety, allow them to do their jobs and refrain from interfering. Thankfully, Eve was safely captured, but chasing can push a dog into harm’s way.
You’re safe now Eve!
