Entire Community in Oklahoma Comes Together to Catch Helpless Dog

A dog in Elgin, Oklahoma has been avoiding capture for the last several weeks, despite all attempts from local volunteers and animal control. Today, after a team effort, the dog was captured successfully and is en route to the vet for care.

The black lab mix had been loose in Elgin for about three weeks, according to Travis Bennett, who has been involved in the process. "We think she may have either ran away from someone or may have been dumped," he said.

Originally, she was found around BAE Systems in Elgin, but worked her way closer to town the hungrier she got. Eventually, she was mainly staying around the Braums in town. According to Bennett, she had been in Animal Control Officer's (ACO) custody at one point, but broke loose after attempting to bite at the handlers. "She managed to slip through the collar and had stayed skiddish of people since," Bennett said.

Bleeding hearts who were able to see the dog up close noticed that she was in need of immediate medical attention. There was what seemed to be a tumor or a cyst on the dog's face and she appeared to be in poor condition in general. Thanks to the people in Elgin, though, she wasn't lacking food or water.

While many citizens during this time did what they thought would help, it worked counterintuatively to the efforts of local authorities and rescues who were trying to capture her. After a few days of calling on the community to stop feeding the animal, it was finally common knowledge and allowed volunteers and local ACO to work their magic.

She was captured by a few volunteers, Lee Hoffman and her husband, who had been avidly following her and communiticating with community members to constantly have an eye on her location.

After getting a closer look, the vet at Happy Hollow was able to see that the dog had a severe infection on her face that is now being treated. Some generous citizens have already donated to her cause, but there are still opportunities for others to do the same. "Go to [Elgin] city hall, say that they want to donate and they'll apply that towards her bill," Bennett told us. After the pup's recovery, we're pleased to say she already has an adopter lined up.