Scooby Ran Away to Canada. His Escape Saved 14 Dogs

A runaway beagle inadvertently led authorities to rescue 14 others in an international incident that started in Western New York. WGRZ reports on the adventures of Scooby Doo, who escaped from his home in Niagara Falls, NY, at some point—that outlet says it was last weekend, though a Sunday Facebook post from the Sherlock Bones dog recovery group reports that Scooby went missing on May 29. Whenever the breakout was, Scooby is said to have made his way into Canada by crossing the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge along the bridge's railroad tracks. On Sunday, he was captured on the Ontario side of the bridge by rescue officials, Amy Lewis, executive director of the Niagara County SPCA, tells WGRZ. Scooby was covered in dozens of ticks but otherwise seemed to be doing fairly well.

On Monday, after the beagle's Canadian "spa treatment" of a bath, plush bed, and relaxing music, Officer David Bower of the Niagara Falls Police Department returned him to his home back in the States—which is when Bower heard many other dogs barking inside, per the Buffalo News. The owner revealed there were 16 dogs living there but wouldn't grant entrance. A search warrant was obtained, and on Wednesday, police officers and SPCA workers entered the residence to indeed discover 16 canines, mostly beagles. A Sherlock Bones rep says they were in generally good health but covered in fleas and with untrimmed nails. "They loved the dogs, but they were in over their heads," Lewis says of the owners. They were allowed to keep two dogs—Scooby and a German shepherd—while 11 female beagles and three males were taken out of the home (which was condemned), evaluated, and treated. Those suitable for adoption will be offered next week. (More uplifting news stories.)