Resilient New Orleans Rescue Dog Captured After Months on Run

A scruffy rescue dog known as Scrim, who gained fame for evading capture over several months in New Orleans, has finally been caught and returned to domestic life on Tuesday, The Associated Press reports.

Weighing in at 17 pounds, Scrim has captured the hearts of locals and become a beloved figure in Louisiana.

The tale of Scrim began in April when he escaped from his adopted family and spent months roaming freely across the city. His remarkable journey included evading capture efforts that employed nets and tranquilizer rifles. In October, Scrim became an internet sensation when he was filmed leaping from a second-story window, an escape that further endeared him to the public.

During his time on the run, Scrim demonstrated incredible resilience, surviving both a hurricane and frigid blizzard conditions. A dedicated group of volunteers tracked his movements across an expansive 57 square miles using wildlife surveillance cameras and a crowdsourced map to monitor sightings.

Finally, Scrim was captured using a cat trap, orchestrated by Michelle Cheramie, founder of the animal rescue nonprofit Zeus’ Rescues. Cheramie, who transformed her life after losing her home to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, described herself as “born to rescue.” She expressed her joy when she was able to hold Scrim after giving him a much-needed bath. A veterinarian confirmed that Scrim was in good health, despite the earlier injuries he had sustained, including lacerations and what appeared to be embedded bullet fragments.

On Tuesday, as Scrim relaxed comfortably beneath blankets on a couch, volunteers who had spent countless nights searching for him gathered at Cheramie’s home. They shared stories of their fruitless hunt while reveling in the joy of finally seeing him safe.

Cheramie is now taking precautions to ensure Scrim’s safety and has locked all doors and windows in her house as she prepares for his transition to a long-term family, which she has chosen not to disclose. To prevent any further escapes, Scrim has been equipped with a GPS collar and an AirTag tracking device.

Before Scrim leaves to join his new family, Cheramie plans to savor their time together, celebrating the end of a tumultuous chapter in the dog’s life and the beginning of a new, stable future.