Trapping Adventures

So, I’ll start this blog with some animal control adventures. The Friday before last I was assigned to patrol the city of Coolidge. As I was driving along I saw a very thin pit bull walking along the road in a better area of the town (something I wouldn’t be as surprised to see on the other half of town). The poor thing was incredibly skittish, but fortunately for me very hungry and thirsty. Hoping I could gain his trust I set out some water and walked away. He slowly walked up and drank the water. I had to move my entire body very slowly, as even the slowest movements would make him jump. Well we played the game for a while of me giving water and then him jumping back as I approached. Finally I decided to set my dog trap, hoping that the dry food and water would lure him in. Usually I use wet food, but I forgot to put my can opener back in my truck and couldn’t open any of the cans! Well it worked and within minutes he was in the trap.
Later in the day I received a call for two dogs in a school playground. Well the field was quite large and all fenced in. I found the two dogs taking a nap and they woke up as I walked up to them. I had two leashes in my hand and my truck was probably about a football field away as they were on the far end of the playground. I kept saying “please be friendly…please be friendly” as it was late in the day and I was ready to head back to the shelter and take lunch. Unfortunately the dogs woke up and began barking at me. They were willing to eat the treats I had, but unwilling to get close enough and stay in one spot long enough to get the leash on them. Not to mention that even if I got them on the leash they would probably freak out and not be fun to walk back to the truck with. So then I had to go back to the office so someone could open the vehicle gate so I could bring the truck in closer. I attempted my trapping skills once again and placed some dry food along with pieces of my nectarine in the trap to help lure them in (as yet again I couldn’t open my can of wet food). Well the more timid one went in and was checking out the food and the more dominant one was standing in the opening of the trap. All I could see was the trap being set off by the first one and the trap door falling on and spooking the other one. If that happened I doubt I could get that dog to become interested in the trap again. Then my second fear, the first dog was in the trap, but it wasn’t closing. I guess in my rush to want to get back to the shelter I set the trap in a way that it didn’t get set off as easily. Well it actually worked to my advantage as the second dog moved in more and together their weight pressed down on the lever to set off the trap, catching both! By now I had one of the teachers as a spectator asking me the same question I was asking myself, “How do you get the dog out without the other escaping?” Well I somehow managed to get one out and close the door before the second could escape, impressing the teacher, as well as myself.
Also, I’m still looking for homes for Baby (accepting ideas for a better name), Jack, Jill, Jake, and Tonka! So please keep an eye out for possible homes, possibly even yours!!