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CLEAR Temp: 65 °F Wind: NW at 4 mph Tuesday, August 12, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 26, 2003 Hope gets a little attention from Dakota Romero, 6, the daughter of a Jackson County Animal Shelter employee. The timid 4-month-old pooch had been living in a culvert for about a week until an animal control officer caught her on his lunch break Friday. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Pooch rescued from culvert By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune After eluding concerned neighbors for more than a week, a small black and tan puppy was rescued from an east Medford drainage culvert Friday afternoon. Staff at Jackson County Animal Control reported that the 4-month-old puppy — a female mixed breed without a collar or identification — appeared to be in good shape despite her ordeal. "She’s just fine," said Andy Lane, an animal control officer who was able to capture the canine escape artist by using a live trap. "She’s just the sweetest thing. She loves to be petted." Last week, neighbors spotted the puppy near the busy intersection of Foothill and Hillcrest roads. Residents tried several times to catch the floppy-eared dog, but the shy female pup always ran and hid in the culvert. Advertisement Attempts to coax her out with food failed, and residents began leaving bowls of food and water for the little dog. "This is terrible heat for an animal to be out in," said Barbara Watson, one of several neighbors who contacted animal control to report the situation. "There’s a lot of coyotes around here." Courtney Lucas, a community service officer with Medford police, also spent some time trying to rescue the pup. "It just doesn’t want anyone near it," Lucas said Friday, before the pup was caught. "Several people have tried, and nobody has any luck." Director Colleen Macuk said animal control officers delayed using a live trap to capture the dog because officers were too busy to watch the cage. "We can’t have the poor thing left out in the heat," said Macuk. "We have to have somebody monitoring the trap." Lane traveled to the neighborhood Friday afternoon to ask if any residents would be willing to watch the live trap. Before knocking on any doors, Lane decided to set up the trap and keep an eye on it during his lunch break. After setting up the snare, Lane headed back toward his vehicle when he heard a sound. He turned and saw the puppy had already been caught. "I didn’t even have a chance to get my sandwich," he added. The puppy, named Hope by animal control workers, quickly captured the hearts of staff members and visitors. Somewhat timid after her ordeal, Hope has been pampered and allowed to stay in the shelter’s front office rather than in the kennels. It’s unclear if Hope ran away from a loving home or was simply abandoned. Lane speculates that Hope might have escaped during the recent lightning storms. "There’s a terrible increase (of lost dogs) during storms like that," he added. But neighbors along Hillcrest and Foothill, along with other animal control workers, believe Hope was abandoned. Watson said numerous dogs and cats have been dumped off near the intersection over the years. "We get a lot of dogs abandoned in rural areas. I wouldn’t be surprised," added Macuk. Hope will be held at animal control for three days. If nobody claims her during that time, she will be evaluated and if found suitable, placed up for adoption. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times