Willow Creek Community Unites in Race Against Time to Rescue Scared Dog on Highway 299
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.
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.
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.
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
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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
At least these people are trying to save a beautiful soul what are you doing except putting people down [edit]
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
Bring another dog on to the bridge.
We tried that and with our kids
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.
Evidently the dog wants nothing to do with anyone except its owner. They’ve tried men, women, children…
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…???
Can it has anyone gone up the hill. Maybe the dog is asking for help
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.
That’s what I said, and was thinking
Oh, that is a likely scenario.
Very good observation
They have already brought other dogs and kids. It runs farther up the hill when they do.
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.
Thank you Humboldt County resources for helping Trinity County!
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.
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.
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.
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……..
Bulgarian dog for surrrre
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!!
Thanks ! For Having Me .
Thank you so much Kym for posting this. Maybe the owner will see this and Tony can get some rest.
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
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.
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.
Maybe because the posting about this was in the Willow Creek Bulletin board on FB? This is across the county line in Trinity County.
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.
Anybody have a tranquilizer dart?
This man is a saint. I have followed this since he first started trying to save her. I thank you with all my heart.
See the need, do the deed. I agree and thank him as well.
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.
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?
A trail of Rotisserie Chicken . Buy 5.
Are we absolutely positive that Timmy isn’t trapped in ol’ Man Hennessey’s root cellar?
This is serious Lassie behavior.
Definitely hoping to hear an update. Any news?
A dog running back and forth on a bridge, not wanting to leave?
Did anyone think to check the area below for a jumper?
She is SAFE! Owner found. Tony will tell the story, I hope, but what a New Year’s Eve story!!
The dog is named Violet, from Hyampom, she has been reunited with her people this afternoon. Thank you, Tony Lynch!!
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…!!!