The Virginia Beach Animal Control has a message for residents, don’t feed the dog.
For more than 6 months, calls have been made by citizens to Emergency Communications regarding a stray dog located around the area of Lynnhaven Parkway and Sabre Street in the city of Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach officials say they believe the dog, a white and tan female hound mix, was adopted from a releasing agency to a residence in Virginia Beach back in December of 2018, according to a press release.
Within days of being brought to her new home, she escaped and was not found. Due to the short amount of time she was with the new adopter, officials say the dog did not form any bond with her new family that would assist in catching her.
After countless failed attempts to catch the hound mix with treats, toys, and kindness, Animal Control Officers say they decided to attempt using a humane dog trap. The trap was tried in a number of different locations, with a number of different baits used.
Officials say while using the humane dog trap it was found that residents were dropping off food for the dog. City officials say they understand the intention is to help the dog, however, in the long run, feeding the dog causes it not seek out the food in the trap. It is also believed that the dog entered the humane trap one time and was let out of the trap by a citizen, resulting in the dog not entering the trap again.
Animal Control Officers say then sought out another solution, utilizing a “missy trap”. Again this requires the dog to seek out the food bait in the trap. Again officials say citizens were found feeding the dog, causing the dog to become reliant of the handouts and not hungry for the food bait placed in the trap.
Recently the dog has become accustomed to sitting at the edge of Lynnhaven Rd near Sabre St, causing passerby’s to leave food in the area for the dog. Officials say this high traffic area is dangerous for those citizens and for the dog.
The property that the dog is currently residing on is private property, and has been posted for NO TRESSPASSING by the property owner. The property owner told officials they want the dog to be safely caught and are working with Animal Control to accomplish this.
It is also illegal to litter, which includes leaving food or food containers on the property. Police and Animal Control says they will be patrolling the area regularly and violators will be held accountable.
Animal Control also says it will be working with two animal advocacy groups in the area, Lost and Found Pets Hampton Roads and Lost and Found Pets Williamsburg, York County, James City County.
Once the dog is caught she will be brought to Animal Control, evaluated by the shelter veterinarian, with the hope that after her hold period is completed she will be placed up for adoption.
This case remains under investigation by Supervisor Meghan Conti as the lead investigator.
