Bear, a Cane Corso, spent almost an entire year wandering the streets of Mobile, Alabama, with a large plastic container stuck over his head.
The frightened dog would not let anyone approach him, making his rescue far more challenging.
His large size also made it impossible for traps to work.
In what turned into one of the biggest rescue operations in Mobile, animal control officers from the City of Mobile Animal Services and the Mobile County Animal Shelter teamed up with the Mobile County Animal Shelter to finally help this big dog.
Effort To Save Bear
The Cane Corso, later named Bear, had been spotted many times over several months with the container stuck on his head.
It appeared to be the top of a trash can commonly found near restaurants and parks. He was likely scavenging for food when he became trapped.
It was remarkable that Bear survived so long with the container, which must have made eating and drinking difficult.
After months of sightings, a concerned resident finally contacted authorities, prompting a large-scale rescue effort.
Thanks to the teamwork of animal control officers and shelter staff, they managed to remove the plastic container from Bear’s head.
Unfortunately, even after freeing him, Bear slipped away before they could secure a leash. But rescuers refused to give up.
In a coordinated effort involving several people, Bear was eventually caught and brought safely to the city shelter.
“The staff absolutely LOVE him and he is being treated like a king. He is very sweet and has a long happy life ahead of him,” Martin Miller, one of the rescue volunteers involved in the rescue, wrote on his social media.
Bear Finds His Forever Family
Bear’s rescue drew widespread attention, but during his first few days at the shelter, he remained on stray hold and wasn’t yet available for adoption.
During that time, Bear bonded closely with one of the volunteers who decided to apply to adopt him.
“Trying to find a good home for a dog that’s garnered this much publicity is always a big deal. There’s gonna be a ton of people that wanna take him home. And in this particular case, we got to thinking about it, and really, who better than one of the team members that spent so much time trying to get him off the streets in the first place,” Robert Bryant, the City of Mobile Animal Services Director, told WKRG.
Bear is now officially part of the Miller family, and he adores his new dad, Martin Miller.
After so much time alone, he will never be without companionship again. What makes this adoption even more special is that Bear will remain close to the shelter and the rescue community that worked so hard to save him.
Bear is now also an ambassador for the City of Mobile Animal Services, spending his days at the shelter alongside his new dad, promoting the adoption of stray animals.
His story touched thousands of hearts, and now, Bear’s days will be filled with love and joy.