Dog on the run on the West Seattle Bridge; drivers stop to rescue it

FIRST REPORT, 3:55 PM: For a short time about half an hour ago, the west end of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge was backed up to Fauntleroy. Anne Higuera from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) sent the photo and explains why:

Just watched as hundreds of people stopped their cars on the West Seattle Bridge to wait while a couple of valiant dog catchers blocked traffic and captured a little dog that refused to stop and was running all the way down Fauntleroy and onto the bridge. They finally wrapped him up in a jacket and put him in a box and I’m going to assume that they’re going to then try to locate the owners of the dog. Everyone was so well mannered. Not a single horn blown and everyone waited patiently until the little dog was captured. It was really sweet.

We heard a bit about this on the scanner but had no idea how it turned out until Anne’s note. The dog might be hurt, according to a tweet from Dan. (If whomever now has the dog sees this, we can of course put a note on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, where we’ve had multiple “found dog” reports today but no “lost” reports yet.)

4:45 PM UPDATE: We have heard now from both the dog’s owner and the finder – the latter, via comments, saying it’s been taken to Seattle Animal Shelter; the former, via e-mail, explaining the dog, a Jack Russell Terrier mix named Woody, bolted from Petco in The Junction “just fitted … for a new harness & lead and obviously it didn’t fit! He backed out of it and ran for it.”

We’re hoping they all connect quickly!

26 Replies to "Dog on the run on the West Seattle Bridge; drivers stop to rescue it"

  • Diane September 27, 2014 (4:02 pm)

    well if this isnā€™t enough to make you fall in love with West Seattle all over again, oh my
    ~
    I donā€™t even like dogs, and this makes me well up with tears of gratitude for our neighborhood

  • Bob September 27, 2014 (4:16 pm)

    We just saw the owner about 20 minutes ago asking about this dog. She was in a maroon SUV. We ran into her outside of Buddha Ruksa. Hope she connects with the folks who rescued the dog.

  • Kelly September 27, 2014 (4:20 pm)

    Oh West Seattle, I heart you.

  • Trileigh September 27, 2014 (4:23 pm)

    I had exactly the same reaction as Diane. Thanks SO much, everyone who helped out and who supported from the sidelines. Now we need to find that pup’s home.
    .
    I <3 West Seattle!

  • Natalie September 27, 2014 (4:33 pm)

    We have found the dog and have now dropped him off at Seattle animal shelter. I also posted picture and information to the lost and found pet page!

  • Natalie September 27, 2014 (4:36 pm)

    The owner can call 2063867387 to arrange to pick up the dog!

    • WSB September 27, 2014 (4:43 pm)

      I just got a note from the owner. I will send her that number in case she doesn’t see this first. I haven’t received the pet page listing yet but it isn’t necessary if we can connect everyone “offline” so to speak. Thanks!!!

  • Liz September 27, 2014 (4:56 pm)

    Hi WSB!

    By the time I got to the scene, he was already on the bridge.

    I am listening to the lost pet line and will go pick him up Monday when they open.

    Thank you West Seattle!

  • Alphonse September 27, 2014 (5:22 pm)

    If you link to your business ad in your comments, and your business provides in-home services to families, it may not be the smartest move to broadcast that you don’t like dogs.

  • LivesInWS September 27, 2014 (5:51 pm)

    @Alphonse, nothing wrong with not liking dogs personally. It’s not at all the same as hating dogs. The commentor is obviously compassionate enough to be touched by this story of the dog being rescued and reunited with owner. Chill — this is a sweet “good news” story and we’re proud of our WS community!

  • Diane September 27, 2014 (5:54 pm)

    Alphonse; I am a child-care provider, not a dog-care provider; I work in many homes with dogs; my expertise is infants/toddlers/prek; Iā€™m there to focus on the children; thereā€™s no conflict here, unless a family requires a dog-lover; in that case, weā€™re not a match; no biggy; I prefer to be honest and up front
    ~
    anyway, back to the topic here; REALLY glad to hear the dog and owner have been reunited, and LOVING our community

  • pupsarebest September 27, 2014 (6:38 pm)

    I had no idea the signifigance of a blue-fonted user-name—for that bit of info, I thank you, Alphonse!
    (Great site, Trileigh. :) )

  • Liz September 27, 2014 (6:39 pm)

    Good news & a happy ending! We drove down to the 15th ave shelter and he is back in our arms. My husband is in mud bay right down buying the correct harness. Note to self: never ever test a new harness in the store without escape prevention measures in place

    • WSB September 27, 2014 (7:09 pm)

      Yay, Liz, happy to hear it.

  • Jason September 27, 2014 (6:41 pm)

    Great story! And Diane’s comment wasn’t offensive at all. She was just stating that even as a non-dog lover this still touched her heart, seems like a nice thing to say to me.

  • Diane September 27, 2014 (7:58 pm)

    Trileigh is awesome
    ~
    yay Liz; very good news
    ~
    thank you Jason

  • sc September 27, 2014 (8:09 pm)

    Years ago on my way to work I came across 2 dogs running loose in the same area. I stopped, put on my emergency blinkers, and got the dogs to “wait” on the other side of the metal guard rail, called 911 and the police came, put the dogs in the back of the patrol car, and I assume reunited them with the owners (one dog had a phone number on the collar).
    Just wanted to say no one honked their horn then either!

  • Emily September 27, 2014 (9:38 pm)

    To the WSB Editors,

    Thank you so much for posting this story & the follow-up. I was just outside Petco when Woody escaped and helped Liz track him as far as Jiffy Lube before we lost him. I was hoping that Woody & Liz were reunited, but had no way to know, as there was no time to get Liz’s number before she rushed off to keep looking and I had to go back for my own pup. I kept an eye on the WSB this afternoon hoping to see that they were reunited, but never imagined Woody would make it to the ‘front page’ or the Bridge! Thanks again for posting the happy ending and thanks to everyone who stopped on the Bridge, you’re awesome. :-)

  • pupsarebest September 27, 2014 (9:57 pm)

    I think I speak for many when I say:
    How about a pic of our little canine celebrity?
    :)

  • Diane September 27, 2014 (11:12 pm)

    yes, photo of Woody please

  • tk September 28, 2014 (12:21 am)

    To the owner. I have a Husky that could get out of the harness as well. I ended up getting her a martingale harness. It pinches tighter when they pull so they can’t back out of it. Here’s a link to one. http://www.2houndsdesign.com/Freedom-No-Pull-Harness/

  • miws September 28, 2014 (8:12 am)

    Yes, a pic would be great!

    .

    Stories like this restore hope for Humanity, with all of the “bad stuff” going on these days, and people upset and arguing over [whatever issue].

    .

    I seem to recall another story earlier in the year, that was maybe here on WSB, either Main Page of Forums, of a loose dog on a busy road/highway, and many people trying to catch it, and nary a honked horn.

    .

    My own such experience, was probably at least ten years ago, when I was with a friend and was driving her mid-size pickup.

    .

    We were headed back to West Seattle from the North End, and were just exiting the Battery Street Tunnel, onto the Viaduct, the area that I always had a bit of a fear that someday there would be a stalled vehicle, on that blind curve.

    .

    Traffic was at a stop, and several folks were out of their vehicles running around, around the vehicles. I didn’t spot it immediately, but my friend did; a loose dog.

    .

    I was so impressed, that not only so many people had gotten out to help, but that I didn’t hear a single horn or any other behavior suggesting impatience.

    .

    Mike

  • Norskgirl September 28, 2014 (8:56 am)

    Such good news. And great appreciation to all involved; from the “trackers” to those waiting patiently in the line of cars. Good karma injected into the Universe.

    A somewhat related personal story-years ago a pup was rescued and saved by god-sent motorists. The pup was running along the edge of the 167 freeway. There was a disruption in traffic as angels tried and finally succeeded in securing her. Two weeks later, I saw her profile on PetFinders and one week later I adopted her. The good act of those “trackers” and those stopped in cars patiently waiting were responsible for many years of loving companionship with Pup.

  • Kel E September 28, 2014 (3:09 pm)

    i love west seattle!

  • Marty September 29, 2014 (2:16 pm)

    As an owner of a Jack Russell, I know once they take off it is IMPOSSIBLE to catch up with them on foot. They are fast little dogs! I’m glad this story had a happy ending. Bravo to the folks who caught him!

  • mfrench September 29, 2014 (5:54 pm)

    Also, just a side note and no offense to Petco, LOVE it there, but their doors open automatically. Even for a small dog:( And the collar and harness section is right up front by the door. Maybe I’ll say something next time I go in?? Not sure what could be done, but seems worth a mention.

Sorry, comment time is over.