NEW ORLEANS– Dubbed on social media as the “Houdini” of New Orleans’ Mid-City neighborhood, Scrim — a scruffy mixed-breed dog who was on the run for more than six months after escaping from his yard — has finally been caught.
The runaway, weighing approximately six kilos, was captured on Wednesday evening with the help of a tranquilizer dart. News outlets from New Orleans report that he is missing a piece from his ear and has several abrasions. X-rays also showed that two projectiles – possibly small bullets or air rifle pellets – were lodged in his tiny body.
Veterinarian Dr. Mary Miller told it The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate she could not be sure what type of weapon had been used, as she decided to leave the projectiles in the dog’s flesh. “We’re probably not going to remove them,” Miller said, “because they’re not going to cause a problem.”
Despite his injuries, Miller said, Scrim’s condition was “not terrible.”
Michelle Cheramie, owner of the nonprofit Zeus Rescues in New Orleans, said she rescued Scrim from a dog shelter in south Louisiana where he was in danger of euthanasia. Scrim was eventually adopted by a family in Mid-City, but soon escaped.
He quickly became the talk of the town and somewhat of a star on social media, with people posting cell phone and security camera videos whenever he was spotted. Until Wednesday, he managed to evade traps and potential kidnappers with nets and stun guns.
Finally, Cheramie received a call that Scrim had been sighted. She grabbed her stun gun and a group of volunteers arrived on the scene.
“WE GOT HIM!!!!” Cheramie posted on social media on Wednesday evening.
Once he is completely healthy, he will be re-adopted. Tammy Murray, co-founder of the nonprofit New Orleans Animal Welfare Society, told the newspaper she plans to take him in.