Chaka the Tibetan mastiff has finally been rescued after spending much of last week wandering the thinning ice of the St. John River since running away from her new home in Oromocto, N.B.

Animal control officer Angie Phillips captured Chaka Tuesday off Riverside Drive in Fredericton with the help of a live animal trap and a home-cooked ham.

"Probably about 15 or 20 minutes after we left the trap down there, with the ham in it, the dog went in to get the ham and it closed behind it. [We] were able to walk down onto the shore and retrieve the dog crate with the dog in it, and proceeded to take it to one of the veterinary clinics," Phillips said.

The 14-month-old dog had spent days avoiding would-be rescuers along the river from Fredericton to Oromocto.

Chaka refused rescue attempts on Friday. She had been walking the St. John River for four days. (CBC)On Monday, the Fredericton Fire Department had given up trying to rescue the dog.

"The dog has run out of ice in our area, and was moving downriver on Sunday," said fire department spokesman Bob Martin.

"[She] went down well past Jesse's Landing, and way down. Then we got another report it had moved back up. But it has to move down now if it's going to stay on the ice. We just don't have the ice any more," he said.

Chaka is now being checked over by a veterinarian.

The Quebec breeder will be taking the dog back, and will give her owner in Oromocto a new puppy in her place.

The owner purchased the dog two days before it ran off.

Animals are amazing , how they can last and avoid us when they are afraid.. that is great news, Joan, I love to hear a story that ends well..

What's the deal with her owners? Did they try to help her?
She ran away after 2 days & the breeder is giving them a new dog???

Poor girl it is a miracle she made it & I'm thinking she will be better off back with her breeder.

I have to say..the new owners were distraught, and were down by the river to try and get her to shore..
But they were new to her, strangers actually..and also speaking English whereas the dog probably only understood French...
And at 14 months, Chalka was probably only wanting to get back to her original home..which was in another province (think State)

Purrs,
Joan

Wow, what a story, Joan! I'm so glad there was a happy ending! What a relief all round that she was rescued. :flower:  :up:

Can imagine how heart-wrenching it must have been for the breeder, the new owners.... and all the people following the story on the news. :cry:

Doesnt sound like anyone was to blame at all here.
Poor Chaka was likely just upset and confused, as you say...decided to strike out on this dangerous odyssey to find her way back to her "security" - her home.

Also consider the breed itself...

I believe Tibetan Mastiffs were used by nomadic tribe.  They were given their freedom at night to patrol and protect the camp.  They were entrusted to figure things out without a human at their side directing them 24/7.  So, some of that independence might be hardwired.  Not to mention, if she felt protective of her old home and people, I could see why she would go out searching and be reluctant to come in.  Poor baby was probably confused.

If I've got the right breed, I think these dogs are still so primal that the females only come into estrus once a year.  

I'm glad the story had a happy ending!

Joan,

I am so glad they could capture her and bring her back to safety. Being out there in the weather conditions you recently showed us must be no fun at all.... I amglad she survived and wish her a good life ahead!

Birgit

I'm glad she has been rescued and is returning to her original owner who she obviously is very attached to and needs to be with.