Dog rescued from L.A. River is reclaimed by owner

Vernon the mystery dog is mysterious no longer: The German shepherd mix, whose dramatic rescue last week from the flooded L.A. River was carried live on many TV news stations, has been reclaimed by his owner.

The dog had been taken to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority shelter in Downey after his rescue, and animal control officers had been unable to locate his owner because he wasn't wearing ID tags and hadn't been microchipped. Officers called him Vernon after the city in which he was rescued.

Turns out, Vernon's name is really Spikey, and he's owned by an elderly woman who lives in Maywood. According to the family friend who went to claim him Tuesday, the dog's owner speaks only Spanish and, since the rescue didn't receive as much attention on Spanish-language TV, she wasn't aware that her dog had become a media sensation until a friend alerted her several days later.

Animal control officers visited Spikey's home and talked with both his owner and some of her neighbors. They discovered that the woman's other dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Polo, had been found wandering on the street the day after Spikey was rescued from the river.

Polo was impounded by animal control but will be released back to the owner after her backyard is cleaned up, our sister blog L.A. Now reports. As for how the dogs came to be wandering loose in the first place, the woman suspects that her grandchildren inadvertently left a gate open.

When a familiar person arrived at the SEAACA shelter, "Vernon just went crazy, his tail flapping," the organization's director of operations, Aaron Reyes, told L.A. Now. "We see it all the time: Gosh, he really knows this guy."

Because Spikey bit the firefighter who pulled him from the river, he will remain under quarantine until next Tuesday. But the firefighter, Joe St. Georges, says he has no hard feelings toward the dog. "He's cold, he's wet, he's scared, and then here's this stranger jumping on his back for all intents and purposes, and he did what dogs do," he told the Associated Press after his release from County USC Medical Center, where he was taken for treatment for a bite wound to his thumb.

-- Lindsay Barnett

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Photo: Senior animal care technician Stephanie Webster takes care of Vernon/Spikey in his quarantine cage at SEAACA on Jan. 25.  Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Pru]

I think Animal Control should re-examine the conditions of this elderly woman's home. There are 1,000's of individuals who contacted the shelter for this dog and may be able to provide a cleaner, more secure, and happier home. She may not have been able to understand the news coverage, but if she cared to reclaim her dog sooner, she could have had a friend or relative assist her in contacting all local shelters to find him as soon as possible.

[LW]

It doesn't sound like this elderly woman can appropriately care for these dogs. It's unlikely Spikey and Polo get the exercise required of those breeds. I think she needs to give the dogs up to someone who can give them the care, attention and walks.

[Jett]

I agree with the other posters. After the fireman risked his life to save Spikey, I think that SEAACA should reconsider returning this dog to it's owner. With two dogs roaming around without collar and tags, it is probable that Spikey and Polo will get lost again. There won't be any media coverage, helicopters and heros around, next time. What if Spikey and Polo get hit by cars, next time. Irresponsible dog owners allow their dogs to go without dog tags and inadequate/insecure yards. I have met people at shelters who lose their dogs repeatedly, just to return for one more. Animal Shelters should take this into account before adopting to anyone who steps forward. Spikey's owner should not be allowed to own dogs after this incident. To lose two dogs, is too much.

[chris]

Anyone who doesn't have a collar on their dog or a chip AND it takes her 6 days to check the pound should not be given this dog back. I can only imagine just how bad the back yard was.

[jimboster]

Hey, what about that handsom fellow in the cage next door. How about someone adopting him?

[jmg]

I agree with the previous 2 posts. It doesn't sound like she was aware they were gone or did anything in an effort to find them. If my dogs went missing - every single shelter and rescue group in town would know about it - so the minute my dog was brought it - they'd know "hey, that's the missing Maltese we've been notified about". I'm sure she loves her pets, but maybe her age is playing a factor. I think Animal Control needs to do what's best for the animals - ensure they are in a safe, secure and happy environment.

[Daniella Ross]

I'm glad the dog will soon be reunited with its family, however, I firmly believe that Animal Control should not release the dog until they have a good, long talk, in Spanish, with his owner about ID tags, microchips and fencing.

[GG]

Poor Spikey. What a harrowing ordeal he went through. My heart sank when I watched his rescue on t.v. I'm so happy that this turned out to be a happy ending story.

[Leslie]

I think AC should find out why the dogs were in the backyard during that HORRIFIC storm. The grandkids were out in the storm and let the dogs out? It doesn't sound like a good home for the dogs (or the kids) and I think AC should check this out further.

[j. wolfe]

I object to people saying out of hand to give this dog to someone else.

Yes, the dog was loose - but is this a normal occurance, or in fact did someone leave the gate open and this is an accident?

The dog was not abused, or in poor health - unrelated to his time in the river. He is obviously happy to see familiar people. And ESPECIALLY with the elderly, pets are a significantly important emotional investment.

Do not be so rushed to dismiss the relationship between the dog and the owner - it goes both ways. If the dog was rehomed elsewhere, who is to say that the dog would have a better life - more love, not grieve for the loss of his owner and companion the yellow lab? And certainly, for anyone who has grieved over the loss of a pet, how would this effect the owner -- and her view of the animal welfare and control system? If someone gave my dog away, I certainly would not go to them for help if I needed it in the future.

It would be better to help keep both these animals in a home where they are familiar and loved, then just handing them off to someone who called in over a news event.

If all those hundreds/thousands of calls translated into adoptions of animals already in the shelter system -- just as, if not more needy of homes before their date to be euthanized -- we could significantly reduce the number of animals put down.

When all the media hype blows over, remember there are all sorts of reasons an animal gets loose.

As for a lost collar - I have greyhounds whose necks by default are easy to slip a collar (less likely with a german shepard, I grant you). And depending upon income, microchipping and registering can be expensive. Both my dogs are chipped and registered, but it was nearly $100 between them.

Better to find someone to work with this woman, who understands the system of animal control, and speaks spanish.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[Lizkar]

Maybe someone could offer to buy the pups, say for the amount that may be involved in retrieving them from AC? The owner might be able to manage money a little better than she can care for her pups.

[Holly]

I agree with Jim Boster. That boxer on the right is adorable. I wish I could drive down there and scoop him up so he could be a little friend to my Weim!

[Susan]

Did anyone notice the cute Boxer next door that needs a home???