Bend, Ore. – A heartbreaking journey that began across the rugged trails of Central Oregon ended in rescue and relief, thanks to a Redmond mother, a Missing Pet Recovery expert, and the KTVZ Problem Solvers who brought a lost Cane Corso’s story to light.
It broke the hearts of the High Desert when images of a starving, lonely Cane Corso spread rapidly across social media. The mother dog, who appeared to have just given birth, was seen wandering from Culver to Lake Billy Chinook, and even as far as Smith Rock State Park.
For weeks, witnesses reported sightings of the frightened mother, traveling dozens of miles, hungry and clearly searching for her puppies. Photos posted across Jefferson County showed her ribs protruding and her body frail, a heartbreaking symbol of her struggle for survival.
The Power of a Post
The Problem Solvers were flooded with messages from concerned viewers asking for help. In response, the team shared the story on social media, an action that would soon set the rescue in motion.
Among those who saw the post was Kasie Mitrofan, a Smith Rock resident and new mother herself. “She had kind of walked right by me,” Kasie recalled. “And as she did you could see the skin moving in and out of her ribs. It was a very sick-to-your-stomach feeling.”
At first, Kasie thought the dog belonged to a neighbor. “Saturday morning, I thought nothing of it other than it was a neighbor’s,” she said. “And then Sunday evening I saw you guys had shared the post about it.”
A New Mom Helps Another
With her four-month-old baby on her hip, Kasie kept watch over the Cane Corso for hours while awaiting help from Katie Albright of Missing Pet Recovery. Albright guided her to use a familiar scent to attract the exhausted dog.
“Katie had asked me to spread something that smelled good to attract the dog, and I had leftover ham from Thanksgiving,” Kasie said. Within just fifteen minutes of setting a humane trap, the starving mother was safely captured.
“She looked so emaciated and tired,” Kasie explained. “I think she was almost trying to find somewhere—food and water or just a place to rest and hide out.”
On the Road to Recovery
The Cane Corso is now receiving care and is on the road to recovery, thanks to the compassion of strangers and the teamwork between of the Problem Solvers, local residents, and Missing Pet Recovery.
As a fellow new mother, Kasie said the experience touched her deeply. “I’m very happy that this is the place that that dog did find peace and comfort,” she said. “I feel special.”
The Search for Answers Continues
While the mother dog is now safe, questions remain about how she ended up wandering more than 40 miles and what became of her puppies. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that an investigation is underway.
The Problem Solvers team will continue to follow the case and stay in close contact with investigators as more details emerge.
This story was contributed by our media partners at KTVZ News. You can view the original story here.
