Missing dog Luna, lost in Yellowstone National Park, found after 1 month
A small dog that had gone missing inside Yellowstone National Park for a month has been found, the park confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday.
"The dog that was loose in the Canyon Village area has been captured and is alive and well," a park representative told ABC News via email.
Volunteers had mobilized across Yellowstone since September and posted flyers in search of the dog, named Luna, described as a white Jack Russell and Chihuahua mix.
Among the volunteers was Katie Boucher, president of Norris Ark Training and Recovery Center, an animal rescue organization in Montana near Yellowstone.
Boucher told ABC News Luna's family, who do not want to be identified, had last seen her on Sept. 10 in Yellowstone's Canyon Village campground complex in Wyoming.
"They wanted to go up to the Norris Geyser where dogs are not allowed, and so they left [Luna] in the cabin locked with the 'do not disturb' sign on the door," Boucher said. "During the time when they were gone to the Norris Geyser, housekeeping came in, ignored the 'do not disturb sign' and let her out."
Todd Walton, the director of marketing and sales at Yellowstone National Park Lodges, also confirmed to ABC News the dog, which had escaped from a cabin room in one of the lodges, was found.
"It really was just a truly unfortunate accident that the dog escaped," Walton said, adding, "More than anything, we're just glad that this has a happy ending."
Boucher said a park construction crew notified her that they had been seeing Luna in an area of the park where a new road is being constructed and that's where a trap was set up for Luna that included some of her family's belongings, so she would be attracted to the scent.
"I got a call about 3:30 yesterday afternoon that she had been seen all day long in the trap area, lying down next to it and just frequenting it, and was very comfortable. At that moment, I knew we were going to get her either today or tomorrow," Boucher said.
According to Boucher, Luna's owner flew in from California to reunite with Luna, who is getting checked by a veterinarian.
"The primary thing we want people to understand is that Yellowstone is a very dangerous place, and to please leave their dogs at home," Boucher said. "And the second thing we want people to know is that if their dog does escape them, even if it's at home, do not chase after them and get a professional involved right away."
