Willow Creek Community Unites in Race Against Time to Rescue Scared Dog on Highway 299

large, fluffy white dog running down road

The lost or abandoned dog traverses the bridge from one end to the other, often howling or crying but refusing to let anyone close to it.

In a race against time and traffic, the tight-knit community of Willow Creek has joined forces to rescue a large, white dog abandoned or lost near the Cedar Flat Bridge near a rest stop on Highway 299.

Local resident Tony Lynch, who lives above the rest area, heard the heartbreaking cries of the stranded canine on December 24th at 3 a.m. Despite the late hour and the chilly winter conditions, Lynch sprang into action, using his vehicle to alert passing drivers and protect the distressed dog from potential danger.

flare on side of roadway with door to truck in side view

Tony Lynch has been warning passing motorists to use caution when approaching the bridge where the dog has been running in and out of traffic.

The crying dog, described as resembling a Pyrenees or Newfoundland, remained steadfast on the bridge, avoiding Tony’s attempts to lure it to safety, pacing anxiously, seemingly awaiting an owner who never arrived. Despite the urgency of the situation, no official agencies were initially involved, prompting Lynch to take matters into his own hands.

Caltrans, recognizing the imminent danger, stepped up by providing Lynch with safety flares, a safety vest, and the promise of caution signs to alert drivers. However, bureaucratic hurdles delayed the involvement of animal control, leaving the fate of the mournful dog hanging in the balance.

Undeterred, the Willow Creek community, spurred by Lynch’s efforts, took to social media platforms like Facebook to organize a grassroots rescue mission. The challenges of trapping the howling canine are elevated due to the dog’s massive size. Two Rivers Pet And Wildlife Welfare Services ingeniously fashioned panels into a makeshift trap in a desperate attempt to coax the frightened pup to safety.

Speaking about the rescue efforts, Tony expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “The pup can’t wait, and would be a statistic if we waited.”

Though the dog remains loose and in danger of being hit by Highway 299 traffic, Tony remains committed to warning travelers of the dog’s presence while continuing to coax the dog into the makeshift enclosure.

large white dog on one side of road while law enforcement and concerned citizens make plans to capture it on the other side of the roadway

The dog stands watch as agencies and citizens work together to formulate a plan to catch the pooch in danger of being hit by traffic.

The ongoing saga, marked by late-night efforts, makeshift traps, and community collaboration, shows the tenacity and heart of the small town. Tony, with the support of the Willow Creek community refuses to give up on the rescue efforts of the furry dog on Highway 299, refusing to let one of its own be forgotten on the cold, unforgiving highway.

If you recognize the abandoned or lost dog, please reach out to Tony on the Willow Creek Bulletin Board page on Facebook.

fence panels erected in u-shape near power line.

A makeshift enclosure has been erected to trap the dog.


UPDATE:
Please note that “donations can be made towards this cause and future causes with Two Rivers PAWW”.

Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/TwoRivers-PetAndWildlifeWelfar

PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/tworiverspawws

Coast Central: Account 363338

Mail: Two Rivers Pet and Wildlife Welfare Services
PO Box 1158
Hoopa Ca 95546

UPDATE: How One Man’s Heroic Efforts (with the Support of His Community) Led to a Lost Dog Making It Home for the New Year

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41 Let us come and reason together. Isaiah 1:18
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Know your rights
Guest
Know your rights
10 months ago

That enclosure looks effective. Thank you joe bieden. I love the usa. This reminds me off a joke. What do you get when you cross a dog, a community with nothing to do and a government angency

Sandra Lingle
Guest
Sandra Lingle
10 months ago

At least these people are trying to save a beautiful soul what are you doing except putting people down [edit]

Last edited 10 months ago
Wake up
Guest
Wake up
10 months ago
Reply to  Sandra Lingle

I don’t think anybody was putting anyone down. If you think a scared dog is going to go in that structure you have probably never met a dog

tru matters
Guest
tru matters
10 months ago

Bring another dog on to the bridge.

Mandy
Guest
Mandy
10 months ago
Reply to  tru matters

We tried that and with our kids

Silly Rabbit
Guest
Silly Rabbit
10 months ago
Reply to  tru matters

Was going to say the same thing. Or just sit quietly with food for the dog so the dog can see you are wanting to help. Also if it’s a guardian dog maybe put an animal of some kind in the cage to see if that helps.

Emily
Guest
Emily
10 months ago
Reply to  Silly Rabbit

Evidently the dog wants nothing to do with anyone except its owner. They’ve tried men, women, children…

The Real Guest
Guest
The Real Guest
10 months ago
Reply to  Emily

Could the owner be in distress, in or out of a vehicle, somewhere off of or above the Highway, and the dog is trying to attract some help for them…???

Barbara
Guest
Barbara
10 months ago
Reply to  The Real Guest

Can it has anyone gone up the hill. Maybe the dog is asking for help

Bug on a Windshield
Guest
Bug on a Windshield
10 months ago
Reply to  The Real Guest

First thing I thought of also. Has anyone looked under the bridge or down the embankment? Or maybe follow the dog up the hill? Think Lassie leading us to Timmy in a well.

Last edited 10 months ago
Sav
Guest
Sav
10 months ago
Reply to  The Real Guest

That’s what I said, and was thinking

Monica
Guest
Monica
10 months ago
Reply to  The Real Guest

Oh, that is a likely scenario.

Gypsea Alma
Guest
Gypsea Alma
10 months ago
Reply to  The Real Guest

Very good observation

Sara Simon
Guest
Sara Simon
10 months ago
Reply to  tru matters

They have already brought other dogs and kids. It runs farther up the hill when they do.

Emily
Guest
Emily
10 months ago
Reply to  tru matters

Already tried other dog. Was not interested, ran further into the mountains. A team has spent every day and night since the dog was discovered there trying every strategy possible. Right now, it’s about helping drivers know so they can slow down in the area while the rescue plays out now that they have the equipment needed.

Mandy
Guest
Mandy
10 months ago

Thank you Humboldt County resources for helping Trinity County!

Madrone is the best Supervisor in Humboldt
Guest
Madrone is the best Supervisor in Humboldt
10 months ago

The Pyrenees have been bred up in Trinidad for decades. I had a conversation with the original breeder a few weeks ago on Moonstone Beach. I can’t remember their name, but we had a nice conversation. This breed is always around Trinidad. Has anyone checked with the Trinidad people who breed these dogs. Maybe they have information. Many people in the Trinidad area have a 2nd home in Willow Creek. Could there be more to this story, like something happened to the owner. I have personally never seen someone abandon a Pyrenees before. I think there could be more to this story.

Eddie P
Guest
Eddie P
10 months ago

I had a Pyrenees who had been abandoned by her owner. They’re stubborn and like to have a large territory, so people who aren’t prepared for that do abandon them frequently. People choose dogs for their looks, like they’re clothes, instead of honoring their personalities. I’m not saying this dog is abandoned, but it certainly happens a lot. My Pyrenees tested fences and gates all the time and when she found a weakness, she would walk for miles and get lost. If I’d had a herd for her to protect, she likely wouldn’t have done that, as they’re livestock guardians and like to have a job.

Emily
Guest
Emily
10 months ago

There was a man in a truck driving up and down 299, by the dump, calling and whistling for a dog. That was the first day, and he hasn’t been seen since. Didn’t come down to the rest area, so maybe it wasn’t his dog. Hopefully this story will help connect the dog to whoever lost it.

Madrone is the best Supervisor in Humboldt
Guest
Madrone is the best Supervisor in Humboldt
10 months ago

Yeah, this bridge is just east of Salyer & Burnt Ranch. This area has a ton of people from Trinidad. My bet is this dog was born in Trinidad……..

1000011522.jpg
Taco
Guest
Taco
10 months ago

Bulgarian dog for surrrre

Zoeysmom
Guest
Zoeysmom
10 months ago

Is this a female Pyrenees? If so maybe she has puppies hidden?? I had a Pyrenees, Kuna, one of the most awesome dogs ever!! We also called her a Great DisaPyrenees, as she would love to disappear…prayers for the beautiful Pyrenees who is trying to let us know there is a reason she or he is there!!

susanleeboyd@gmail.com
Member
10 months ago

Thanks ! For Having Me .

Didi
Guest
Didi
10 months ago

Thank you so much Kym for posting this. Maybe the owner will see this and Tony can get some rest.

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
10 months ago

From living with 2 Pyrrs for 11 years that dog is not coming off that bridge till it is good and g*d damned ready. If it was me, I would bait it and give it a WIDE berth focusing on traffic control. If someone is coming from the coast I would use a bag of McD’s chicken nuggets and fries, upwind of the bridge, for my Pyrrs it was irresistible crack. Might take a few days, that is a GP, but it will end with a dramatic uneventful suddenness

Korina42D
Member
10 months ago
Reply to  Chuck U

I was going to suggest cheeseburgers. Eldad of Hope for Paws, an animal rescue organization in L.A. that also has a YouTube channel, has an 80% success rate with cheeseburgers. Trail bits to a drop trap (I assume GPs are too smart/wary for the other kind) and leave a couple inside, with a long, long rope, and a patient person hiding.

Robin
Guest
Robin
10 months ago

I love Willow Creek and have seen this community rise to the occasion many times but these folks are east of Burnt Ranch. Just wanting to thank that community for their response and to point out that they are a ways down 299 from Willow Creek.

Emily
Guest
Emily
10 months ago
Reply to  Robin

Maybe because the posting about this was in the Willow Creek Bulletin board on FB? This is across the county line in Trinity County.

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
10 months ago

Another idea that might be faster is to get a goat or sheep out there, especially if they have a kid or lamb, and stick them in that enclosure. They will start calling out of stress and bring it in. They have to be out of sight, if it has eyes on them that is good enough for a Pyrrs, it has to have eyes on them to move to them.

fb native
Guest
10 months ago

Anybody have a tranquilizer dart?

notheone
Guest
notheone
10 months ago

This man is a saint. I have followed this since he first started trying to save her. I thank you with all my heart.

Eyeball Kid
Member
10 months ago
Reply to  notheone

See the need, do the deed. I agree and thank him as well.

Francis D. Assisi
Guest
Francis D. Assisi
10 months ago

Listen to her body language. Either something important or something bad is nearby. Someone should try searching under the bridge. Those dogs don’t abandon their charges.

Sav
Guest
Sav
10 months ago

Did anybody check the water or around there for an accident? Maybe the dog was looking for their owner that could’ve been in an accident and he didn’t wanna leave the scene?

Anon
Guest
Anon
10 months ago

A trail of Rotisserie Chicken . Buy 5.

moviedad
Member
moviedad
10 months ago

Are we absolutely positive that Timmy isn’t trapped in ol’ Man Hennessey’s root cellar?
This is serious Lassie behavior.

Eyeball Kid
Member
10 months ago

Definitely hoping to hear an update. Any news?

Doc
Guest
Doc
10 months ago

A dog running back and forth on a bridge, not wanting to leave?

Did anyone think to check the area below for a jumper?

Emily
Guest
Emily
10 months ago

She is SAFE! Owner found. Tony will tell the story, I hope, but what a New Year’s Eve story!!

lizard
Guest
lizard
10 months ago

The dog is named Violet, from Hyampom, she has been reunited with her people this afternoon. Thank you, Tony Lynch!!

Last edited 10 months ago
The Real Guest
Guest
The Real Guest
10 months ago
Reply to  lizard

Hallelujah…!!!

That is Excellent News…

Thank you, Tony Lynch…!!!

I don’t know you, but your “Ultra” efforts to reunite Violet with her family were extraordinary and heroic.

Bravo…!!!

Salute…!!!

Last edited 10 months ago