Elusive stray dog Rambler trapped, taken to Routt County Humane Society
Courtesy
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — A skittish dog that has been roaming the Steamboat Springs streets for at least the past month is now eating out of human hands at the Routt County Humane Society.
The dog, which has been named Rambler by Humane Society staff, first came to the attention of animal control officers on Dec. 8 following calls from residents.
“This is a very elusive dog,” animal control officer Jennifer Good said. “If you looked at it, it ran the other way.”
Good first spotted the dog herself Dec. 22 at it slept in the sun in people’s backyards.
It was unknown where the dog was spending nights and eating, and attempts to catch it were unsuccessful.
Through social media and news alerts, the city asked for the public’s help in finding out where the dog was spending its time so traps could be set.
“We needed more people looking,” Good said. “We were flooded with all these reports of the dog.”
A majority of the reports were coming from the areas of Anglers Drive, Rollingstone Drive and Pine Grove Road.
Two live traps were set with dog food as the bait and bedding so Rambler would feel comfortable.
The dog, which is suspected of being some sort of collie mix, was eventually caught Tuesday morning.
Unable to identify a microchip and without any tags, it is still a mystery where Rambler came from.
“Maybe it hasn’t had human contact in awhile,” Good said.
Rambler was taken to the Humane Society, where manager Karen Donoghue said he is warming up to people quickly.
“He’s wagging his tail when staff goes by,” Donoghue said. “He’s eating out of staff hands.”
Rambler’s owner has five days to claim him. He then becomes the property of the Humane Society, which will rehabilitate Rambler and then put him up for adoption.
In an unrelated case, animal control officers are on the lookout for a black, Labrador/shepherd mix that went missing Jan. 6.
The dog’s name is Little Bear (LB), and it ran away after hearing fireworks.
To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland
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