After spending a year on the run including months evading rescuers at a shuttered golf course in Denver, a German Shepherd known as “Park Hill Dave” was finally captured by rescuers in April, according to local news.
Since January, workers from Denver Parks and Recreation and Denver Animal Protection had been trying to catch the dog who had made the closed golf course his home.
“If you got too close to him, he’d pick up his little stuffed animal, and he would kind of trot away,” Denver Parks and Recreation Executive Director Jolon Clark told CBS News Colorado.
To help ease his fears, rescuers left out a humane trap, unset and filled with treats, giving him time to get comfortable going in and out of the trap. Once he got used to it, they placed a more substantial meal inside, set the trap, and a short while later, he was captured.
When his microchip was scanned, it traced back to a rescue. The organization explained that Dave had been adopted out roughly a year ago, but had escaped that same day. Despite an extensive search, he was never located.
After no guardian stepped up to claim him, Clark adopted Park Hill Dave himself. While Dave may miss his freedom, he’ll now have a warm place to sleep, regular meals, and a companion who will still take him on many adventures.
“I like to go visit all of our 300 urban parks, 14,000 acres in the mountains, and make sure that I’m keeping an eye on everything,” Clark said. “And so, Dave’s job will be to keep me company and keep an eye on all of our parks with me.”
Lady Freethinker is grateful that Park Hill Dave’s long journey led to safety and a forever home that truly suits him. We hope his future is filled with love, happiness, and exploration.
