Catching missing dog seemed impossible as she dodged rescuers for a week — until a bacon trick led her straight to her family
A family was on a vacation in a different country when they heard the disheartening news of their dog getting lost overnight. John Stringer, 50, and his family were holidaying in Turkey and had left their pup, Molly, in his elderly mom’s home for the duration. They did not expect their dog to go missing while trying to find her way back home. A search operation was launched involving expert dog rescuers. A chase between Molly and the rescuers ensued. While they got a rough idea of her location, every effort seemed futile until rescuers lured her in with bacon and sausages.
Stringer and his family were on an eight-day trip to Turkey. Their vacation was cut short when his mother called to inform him that their 2-year-old Cockapoo was missing after she ran away from her house in North Yorkshire. The small pup had jumped over a 4.5-foot garden wall in a desperate attempt to return home, according to the New York Post. “She had then run down the road looking for my car, and when my scent disappeared, she had gotten herself lost running in the wrong direction trying to find it again,” said the surprised owner, noting that Molly was about 12 inches tall.
The family booked the very next flight home to find their pet. Meanwhile, Stringer’s sister, Carolyn Oakley, 46, posted a callout on Facebook asking anyone with information to help with the search. This impactful move reached the right people. Vivienne Hanson, 60, launched a search operation through a dog rescue charity, Busters Animal SOS Team. Cameras were installed at several points, drones flew to track Molly’s whereabouts, and bait traps with sausage, chicken, and gravy were laid to lure her back to safety. Stringer, who works in the NHS, said, “All night I lay [sic] in bed waiting for follow-up messages from my sister about what was happening.”
The rescuers picked up on a clue after a gamesman informed them that Molly had run in front of his car and bolted off to a hill. “Vivienne told me that Molly had entered into flight mode, so she was just focused on surviving, finding food, water, and shelter, rather than being found,” said the owner. The search operation now moved up the hill and once again, laid out bacon, chicken, liver, and gravy for Molly to find. They figured Molly was trying to get home while surviving the crisis. Cameras last saw her rolling on a farmer’s field. It was the golden chance to win her back.
Stringer and his daughter, Emily, 16, headed up the hill with the search team and did as they said. “I told John to walk to a far fence and sit with his back to her. I told them to say her name and talk about her in the voice they use whilst at home,” revealed Hanson. Hanson explained that the drone was ready in case Molly ran again, and John wore his old clothes so his scent would carry on the wind. Fortunately, the breeze was in her direction, and the bacon butties they brought along were what finally tempted her to come closer. “The whole week felt like a big game of cat and mouse. I was so happy it was over,” Stringer said, thanking the search team.