Bear, a Cane Corso, spent nearly a full year wandering the streets of Mobile, Alabama, with a large plastic container trapped over his head.
The frightened dog refused to let anyone near him, which made his rescue extremely difficult.
Because of his size, traditional traps didn’t work either.
In what became one of the most extensive rescue missions in Mobile, animal control officers from City of Mobile Animal Services and Mobile County Animal Shelter joined forces to save him.
The Struggle To Help Bear
The Cane Corso, later named Bear, was seen multiple times over several months with the container still on his head.
It appeared to be the top of a trash can commonly found near restaurants or parks. Rescuers believe he was scavenging for food when he got stuck.
It’s remarkable that Bear managed to survive for so long, as the container made it nearly impossible to eat or drink properly.
After months of reports from concerned locals, one resident finally reached out directly to authorities, setting off a large-scale rescue effort.
Working together, the team of animal control officers and shelter staff finally succeeded in removing the plastic container from Bear’s head.
However, just moments after being freed, Bear bolted and ran off before anyone could get a leash on him. The rescuers refused to give up.
Through careful coordination and teamwork, they eventually captured him safely and transported him 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 volunteers involved in the rescue, wrote on social media.
A New Beginning For Bear
Bear’s rescue story quickly spread throughout the community. During his first few days at the shelter, he was placed on stray hold and wasn’t immediately available for adoption.
But during that time, Bear formed a strong bond with one of the rescuers who had helped bring him to safety.
“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.
Soon after, Bear officially joined the Miller family. He bonded instantly with his new dad, Martin Miller, and finally found the stability and affection he had been missing.
After surviving months of hardship, Bear now enjoys constant companionship and comfort.
He even serves as an ambassador for the City of Mobile Animal Services, spending his days at the shelter alongside Martin, helping raise awareness about stray animal adoption.
Bear’s incredible rescue journey touched thousands of hearts. Today, this once-lost dog is surrounded by the love and care he always deserved.