Image supplied by Leanne Dahl / Footage of Dustan captured, eating the food put out for him.

It takes a village: community bands together to capture dog in need

Sep 9, 2022 | 6:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — A group of women from the Fraser Valley are on a mission to bring a German Shepherd on the run to safety.

One of the women, Leanne Dahl from Agassiz, said the group was first formed on Facebook in early August, and they have bonded over the pup that they have temporarily named “Dustan”.

As a pet owner of four, Dahl said it was her love for animals, among other things, that motivated her to care so deeply about the mystery dog.

“And the fact that he was so broken and scared and traumatized,” she said. “For me, that was the selling point—just seeing his pictures where he looked so scared.”

The group was contacted by someone on Facebook, and that’s where they learned that the dog was allegedly dumped out of the back of a white van.

“It was by Rosedale Park, and she said this person sped off and left the dog,” Dahl said. “At the end of July, I think.”

The women have started a GoFundMe page in order to help with Dustan’s capture and care.

“We were really concerned about his veterinary care because we know he has an injury,” she explained. “Everything we raise would go strictly to him.”

The group was advised to feed him Tripett in order to entice Dustan into coming forward.

“We ended up getting Tripett, and it’s a cow’s stomach,” she stated. “The one thing they recommended was smelly food.”

There are also cameras set up to document when the canine comes forward to eat, in order to establish a timeline.

The women will be seeking the advice of professionals for advice on how to navigate the situation.

“He can’t be chased at all,” Dahl said. “His location is secret just simply because we only need a small group to deal with him.”

The fur mom said her hope is that Dustan receives the love and care he needs.