A black dog that had been roaming near Highway 655 in Timmins for nearly a week has finally been rescued and is now receiving veterinary care.
The dog, spotted multiple times near the Timmins and District Hospital since last Friday, was successfully caught by a team of dedicated rescuers on Wednesday morning. Despite efforts to catch the dog, including setting out food and tracking sightings, it wasn’t until 11:15 a.m. that the pup was safely secured.
The rescue team, composed of Shawn Ouimette, Yves Lessard, Shelley Deslauriers, Cassandra Emily, and Paul Charles, had been tirelessly working together for several days. They kept each other updated via a group chat and made several attempts to corral the dog.
“It was such a relief. I have tears in my eyes,” said Lessard, one of the team members. The dog had been elusive for days, and Ouimette, who had been on little sleep, described his exhaustion after a week of chasing the animal.
The moment of capture came when Charles saw the dog running down Ross Street. “Shawn grabbed him, yelled at me for the leash, and I ran to him,” said Charles. “We walked him back to the car together.”
Ouimette described the significant moment when the dog finally stopped in front of him. “It was now or never,” Ouimette recalled. Once caught, the dog calmed down quickly and proved to be friendly, according to Charles.
Deslauriers highlighted the community’s support throughout the search. She also noted the city’s assistance in clearing a path to set up a cage near the hospital.
In the days leading up to the capture, several people came forward with tips, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) also helped ensure the dog’s safety by monitoring its movements on the highway.
Deslauriers observed that the dog seemed to grow tired of running, eventually wandering into neighborhoods, which signaled it might be ready for help. The group took this as a hopeful sign.
The dog, which appeared to be under a year old, was examined by a veterinarian Wednesday afternoon. It was found to have some missing fur on its back leg and tail, but otherwise appeared in decent health.
As the rescue came to a successful conclusion, Charles reflected on the lessons learned during his previous search for a lost dog. “We learned a lot of helpful tips. The key is to let the dog come to you, and that’s exactly what Shawn did.”
This feel-good rescue story brought the community together, and the team’s determination ensured the dog’s safe recovery.
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