NEW ORLEANS — It's a Mid-City mystery that many are trying to solve, and even more, are following on social media.
Where is Scrim?
He's the little dog who has been outsmarting troops of people trying to help him, and they are not giving up.
This is the story about the people of Mid-City who, for five months, refuse to give up on a little pup on the lam.
“And it just warms my heart, like you can not believe to see this, this amount of love coming from this community,” said Michelle Cheramie, director of Zeus’ Rescues.
Scrim, the westie-like terrier, had run out of time at the Terrebonne shelter. Michelle Cheramie of Zeus' Rescues, took him in, found him a foster home, and then a forever home.
“And the first night he got spooked and popped his leash, and took off running, and that was April 29th,” remembers Cheramie.
Since then, groups of people spend their nights trying to capture him. There are constant sightings on ring cameras, posts on social media, t-shirts with the volunteers, and paths he’s traveled. One night he traveled 13 miles. His white coat has grayed with dirt, but he seems healthy.
“So, he's been eating at the cat colony feeding stations around, all around Mid-City and actually into the upper nine, and some parts of Gentilly, where we have photographic evidence that he's been,” said Cheramie.
Every night volunteers replenish 23 food and water stations. Veterinarians have used tranquilizer darts, but he runs off and hides while he is sedated. He even outruns their electric scooters.
“I couldn't keep up with him," said volunteer Barbara Burger. "I was at full speed, but he was outrunning me the whole time. Once he takes a corner, it is poof, he has disappeared,” she said.
He goes from the Greenway to Bayou St. John, the railroad track, and a brickyard.
“I look in and I can see his rear end in that shed they have," said volunteer Tammy Murray. "Right there on a palette with sandbags was Scrim sleeping. We wrangled. It actually felt like a very long time, and I thought that that would be it".
They have used a net gun to try to get Scrim. They've fired it several times. One time it went around him, but he took off. That was right before Hurricane Francine, and the net got caught on a fence that he went under. Another time the gun misfired, and it blew out the glass in their rescue van.
“He’s the smartest creature I've ever encountered in my life, and there's never been a dog a could not catch,” said Murray.
“He's my rescue. He's my responsibility, and I won't stop until he's back home safe,” said Cheramie.
Right now Scrim is in what's called “lost dog syndrome” mode.
So, if you spot him, don't chase, or call out for him, because he will bolt.
Call Zeus' Rescues and let them know at 504-309-2144
They are hoping to one day buy a dart with a GPS tracker in it if you can help with a donation.
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