While trekking in the Angeles National Forest with her dog, Veronica Shea noticed an animal running up the side of the mountain. The woman took a closer look to see what was going on.
There were three black hounds, not just one. They were Cane Corsos, and they were certainly hungry.
She offered food and water to entice them to come to her car, but they resisted. People made the dogs nervous.
When Veronica tried to approach them, they would flee. She had no idea how they had wound up in the mountain, but she was not going to abandon them there.
Veronica aptly reported to animal control about the dogs, but she was advised that they were in dangerous territory. They urged Veronica not to contact them again because they refused to help the pets.
Every day, Veronica and a team from Dog Days Search and Rescue would visit the dogs, leaving food and water in the hopes of earning their trust. The group also wanted to reintroduce the dogs to people.
The Dog Days Search and Rescue crew spent the next three weeks feeding and escorting them up the mountain. Veronica’s father once accompanied her to visit the dogs and he named them Gracie, Steve, and George.
It took almost a month for the dogs to feel at ease enough to eat from Veronica’s hands. When the squad would arrive, they would all be looking forward to meal time. However, they did not have enough faith in humanity to freely accompany them down the mountain.
The weather had then taken a turn for the worse by that point. Veronica and the rescue team set up makeshift shelters for the dogs, complete with food and water.
Montrose Search and Rescue collaborated with Dog Days Search and Rescue to build up a trap that they could close remotely. Gracie, Steve, and George had become accustomed to being around people at this point, so luring them into the trap was not difficult. They were eventually secured and taken down the mountain.
The canines were taken to Deity Animal Rescue for care and rehabilitation. The dogs would need time to fully trust humans, but many people were willing to help them.
Source: The Dodo