NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy, adventurous dog named Scrim has become a local legend in New Orleans, skillfully evading capture by a dedicated group of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets, and tranquilizer rifles. This 17-pound mutt, primarily a terrier mix, has garnered a devoted following, inspiring everything from tattoos and T-shirts to an original ballad as he dashes through the city.
Scrim’s Journey
Scrim’s unexpected fame stems from a tumultuous backstory. Rescued from a semi-feral existence in a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, he escaped in April and has been on the run since. After eluding capture for months, he was finally cornered in October, only to escape again weeks later in a dramatic leap from a second-story window, an act that was captured on video and quickly went viral.
At the forefront of the effort to recapture Scrim is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former IT professional who discovered her true calling in pet rescue after losing her home and belongings to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She founded Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that facilitates around 600 pet adoptions each year and provides free pet food to those in need. Cheramie played a crucial role in helping Scrim find the home he initially escaped from.
The Search Effort
Following Scrim’s daring escape in November, Cheramie has been relentless in her attempt to bring him back to safety. She has been posting flyers, documenting his whereabouts on social media, and investing thousands of dollars into surveillance technology, training on tranquilization techniques, and coordinating a network of volunteers willing to search for Scrim at all hours. Many members of the community have rallied together, creating a crowd-sourced Google Map to track sightings and offering support to those in need while searching for the elusive dog.
For some searchers, like Tammy Murray, this mission has been a way to reclaim a sense of purpose amidst personal loss. After closing her furniture store and losing her father to Parkinson’s disease, Murray has dedicated countless hours to locating Scrim. She’s even modified her approach, opting for a Vespa scooter instead of a van to remain stealthy after the dog became wise to the sound of the rescue vehicle.
Community Spirit
The ongoing hunt for Scrim has created a sense of community among New Orleans residents, uniting people from diverse backgrounds towards a common goal. Writer David W. Brown notes that the search has brought people together to address broader community issues while searching for the dog. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around you and the animals around you,” he explained.
The Duality of Scrim’s Existence
Despite the support for Scrim from fans who believe he should be allowed to live freely, Cheramie and her team are concerned for his safety. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free. It’s too dangerous,” she insists. Meanwhile, Scrim’s adventures have been followed closely by local media and an online audience, with hashtags like #FreeScrim sparking lively discussions about the implications of his freedom.
Scrim’s Condition and Future
When Cheramie briefly managed to recapture Scrim in October, he was in rough shape, with matted fur, missing teeth, and a damaged ear, as well as wounds from multiple projectiles. Although a veterinarian successfully removed one projectile, concerns remain regarding a potential bullet still lodged inside him. He displayed signs of contentment during his brief return but soon found a way to escape again, leading to speculation about the influence of Cheramie’s four cats on his behavior.
With hopes of a better future for Scrim, Cheramie and Murray are contemplating a secure animal sanctuary where he can thrive in a spacious environment with other dogs, embracing a life where he can simply “breathe and be.” The search continues, driven by love, community spirit, and a commitment to ensuring Scrim’s safety.
___
Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
