Dog Missing For Six Years Found In Woods, But Family Doesn't Want Her Back
In a surprising turn of events, a dog missing for six years has been found alive in the woods. However, despite the miraculous discovery, her family has made the difficult decision not to welcome her back into their home.
A remarkable discovery unfolded when a dog, missing for over six years, was found alive and thriving in the woods. Rose, a black Patterdale terrier, resurfaced after a long absence, having vanished from her family's life years ago.
Surviving in the wilderness, six miles away from her original home, Rose managed to sustain herself by scavenging food intended for badgers and adopting the role of a local stray. The breakthrough in her whereabouts came when a concerned passerby spotted her, prompting the Lost Dog Recovery UK South team to launch a stakeout operation in the area.
Using live hidden cameras, the team meticulously observed Rose's behavior and devised a plan to safely retrieve her. Through thorough investigation and conversations with locals, they uncovered that many neighbors had been providing food for her. Nicki Scriven, 41, a dedicated member of the non-profit organization for a decade, played a crucial role in the rescue operation.
"It emerged that someone had been feeding her for what they believed to be ten years, which turned out to be six-and-a-half. She was considered their stray feral dog, and they were regularly providing her with food. Eventually, the primary caretaker acknowledged the necessity of capturing the dog. She expressed remorse for not taking action sooner," explained Scriven.
The next step was to entice Rose into a metal cage placed in the Sussex woodlands using some chicken as bait, aiming to bring her back to safety. The team set up camp in a nearby van, anxiously monitoring the camera footage while enjoying pizza.
Nicki remarked, "It's always nerve-wracking, especially with Rose, knowing she's been feral for so long. We weren't sure if she'd enter the trap right away or if it would take a few days. But whether it's been a day or six-and-a-half years, it's always rewarding to safely rescue a dog. In my ten years here, we've encountered dogs that didn't make it home, which is heart-wrenching and devastating."
The team was astonished to discover that Rose had a microchip from 2017, indicating she was 12 years old. After an extensive search, they located Rose's owners on Facebook and delivered the news that she was alive and in good health.
Unfortunately, due to changed circumstances, Rose's family is unable to reclaim her. She will be placed into rescue once again. The family had Rose for only 24 hours before she ran off and vanished. Since then, they have relocated and are no longer able to care for an older dog.
Nicki reflected on the situation, expressing a mix of emotions. "It's undoubtedly upsetting to learn that Rose's family can't take her back," she began. "But ultimately, our priority is Rose's well-being. She'll need time for rehabilitation and reassessment before she can be placed in a new home. While it's saddening that she won't be reunited with her original owners, we're committed to ensuring that she receives the care and support she needs."
She continued, "We understand that Rose's situation is bittersweet. On one hand, we're overjoyed to have found her alive and well after all these years. However, it's heartbreaking to realize that she never had the opportunity to experience the love and companionship of her family."
In a poignant Facebook post, the organization conveyed a similar sentiment, acknowledging the complex emotions surrounding Rose's discovery. "While we're ecstatic to have located a beloved pet who had been missing for so long," the post read, "our happiness is tempered by the realization that there won't be a joyous reunion for Rose.
She missed out on the chance to be reunited with her family and experience the warmth of their love once again."
