In a heartwarming turn of events, the residents of Dalton, Georgia, have rallied together to rescue a stray dog, Bradley, who has captured the hearts of locals and become an unlikely celebrity. Bradley, a young Rottweiler mix, was abandoned by her previous owners and had been roaming the streets for months before the community stepped in to help.
Dalton, known as the “carpet capital of the world,” is a town nestled among rolling mountains and dense forests. The area’s rural backroads are often home to stray animals, particularly cats and dogs that have been abandoned. Residents, including Cindy Powell, believe Bradley was one of these discarded pets. Powell, who lives in the area, first noticed Bradley about eight months ago near the Bradley Wellness Center, after which the dog was nicknamed.
For weeks, the dog was seen wandering the area, staying just out of reach of those who wanted to help. Powell, who volunteers at the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, said that locals began posting about Bradley on social media, calling for a community effort to rescue her. “It became this effort of different people, many of whom I didn’t even know, coming together with the common goal of helping this dog,” Powell recalled. “She became a local celebrity. Everyone wanted to see a happy ending for her.”
Bradley, however, was not easy to catch. She stuck to a specific area of Dalton, a triangle that included busy streets, which made the rescue effort even more challenging. “She was in survival mode,” Powell said. “She knew how to avoid being caught.” The Humane Society’s first attempts to trap her failed, but the team was undeterred.
Catching a stray dog is no simple task. Powell likened it to a “dance,” requiring careful planning and patience. Animal control officers needed to position a trap in an area with little traffic, away from the busy roads where Bradley frequently crossed. They also had to ensure that the dog would not be scared off by well-meaning residents. It was a race against time, with Bradley’s safety at risk from both traffic and wildlife such as coyotes.
After nearly six weeks of effort, the Humane Society succeeded in capturing Bradley. She was taken to the shelter where she would begin her recovery, both physically and emotionally. Summer Holland, a kennel assistant at the Humane Society, worked with Bradley as she adapted to life indoors. Unlike many strays, who are often fearful of human contact after months on their own, Bradley quickly warmed up to the shelter staff. “She was used to living outside in all kinds of weather, but once she was inside, it took some time for her to adjust,” Holland said. “But once we started giving her treats and showing her we weren’t going to hurt her, she started to trust us.”
Bradley’s transformation was swift. Within a couple of weeks, she began wagging her tail and interacting with people, even allowing them to pet her. “She became super curious and relaxed, like the puppy she should have always been,” Powell said. “She just needed that human connection.”
Despite her rough start, Bradley’s personality shone through. According to Holland, she is sweet, friendly, and loves receiving hugs. Her favorite treat is peanut butter, and she enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly in the snow. “What’s unique about Bradley is that even though she was a stray with no one to love her, she still trusted us to love her,” Holland added.
Bradley’s rescue highlights the ongoing issue of pet abandonment in Dalton. Holland explained that the town sees a high number of stray animals due to people dumping unwanted pets on rural roads. The Humane Society works tirelessly to find these animals homes and to prevent future litters by promoting spaying and neutering. “A lot of the dogs we get are the result of people not spaying or neutering their pets,” Holland said. “When they can’t care for the animals or find homes for them, they end up on the street.”
According to Powell, the financial burden of pet ownership, along with factors like landlord restrictions and rising costs for veterinary care, can contribute to pet abandonment. “Bradley is lucky,” Powell said. “She’s going to find a family, but there are so many other dogs out there who aren’t as fortunate.”
Bradley’s story is one of hope, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing problem of pet abandonment in many communities. The Humane Society of Northwest Georgia continues to work toward finding homes for strays and educating the public about responsible pet ownership.
For more information about adopting Bradley or other animals, visit the Humane Society’s website or check out their Facebook page.
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