Lost German Shepherd saved by Somerville animal lovers
When Maxi the german shepherd was found roaming in Somerville, even attempts by council rangers to catch her failed. So two women went to extraordinary lengths to help round up the pooch.
South East
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A dedicated dog lover has taken the extraordinary step of hiring an animal expert to save a stray pup.
Carol Robinson spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours on a scheme to catch a german shepherd roaming Somerville.
She called in a private animal rescue service last week after all other efforts to secure the dog failed.
“It cost $242 but I was happy to pay that to save this beautiful dog,” Ms Robinson said.
Maxi first appeared in the area about a week ago and was seen several times on a large private property on Coolart Rd.
After a social media shout out failed to find Maxi’s owner, Ms Robinson teamed up with Paula Gailey-Ortiz to ensure its safety.
“We were complete strangers before this … now she’s my new best friend,” Ms Robinson said.
The pair reported the dog to Mornington Peninsula Shire but attempts by rangers to catch Maxi failed.
Ms Robinson said Maxi appeared to have made a base on the Coolart Rd property so she got permission from the property owner to access his land and called in Nigel’s Animal Rescue.
Owner Nigel Williamson had to set a trap to catch the dog.
“She was terrified. I couldn’t get near her to catch her by hand,” Mr Williamson said.
“But once she had been trapped and put on a lead she was fine. She obeyed all my commands and wasn’t at all aggressive.”
Mr Williamson said he was impressed but not surprised by community efforts to rescue the dog.
“There are some amazing people out there who will go to great lengths to save animals,” he said.
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“I did my bit to help by discounting my usual fee.”
The dog is now being cared for by Mornington Peninsula Shire Community Animal Shelter and Pound.
It is understood Maxi, who was microchipped, had been rehomed by his interstate owner.
Ms Robinson said she wanted to give Maxi a permanent home with her own german shepherd Ski.