Community Corner

Animal Control Officer Finally Catches 'Biscuit,' Stray Shih Tzu

'Biscuit' has been living on his own for two years.

Fairfax County Police Department's Animal Control Department finally caught an elusive Shih Tzu that has been living in and around Franconia for about two years. Officer Enna Lugo was able to catch the dog, right off of Manchester Boulevard and Beulah Street Saturday around 8 a.m., according to a news release.

Lugo has been on the look out for the tiny dog known by local residents as Biscuit. Biscuit's origin is unknown. Some residents said his owner died and he had been left to fend for himself; others claimed that owners moved away and left him behind.

Biscuit got his name from neighborhood children, who routinely caught glimpses of this lonely pup as he foraged for food or moved from one hiding place to another. Local residents in the Franconia community have been trying to catch Biscuit for months before Lugo came on scene.

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"Whenever I came to catch Biscuit, neighborhood residents would tell me the last place they had seen him," said Lugo. "Everyone tried to help get him off the streets."

Lugo tried multiple methods including trapping and tracking, but Lugo said Biscuit would always find an escape route.

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"When we tried to trap him, he would lie next to the traps but he would never go inside," she said.

Lugo knew that she needed manpower to catch this little dog.  This past Saturday, she and Shelter staff worked together to assemble a team of officers and Shelter volunteers to finally bring Biscuit to safety.

When the team arrived, Biscuit was not in his usual spot under a residential patio and Lugo was concerned that he had fled the area. But he was soon spotted nearby, huddled in a nest of leaves where he had made a bed.

Animal control officers and volunteers surrounded him, where they quickly caught him with a net and transported him to the veterinarian.

 At the vet, Biscuit was sedated and shaved. The vet removed more than 40 ticks and treated Biscuit for a skin infection. Other than that, the pup was in good health and is estimated to be about three or four years old.

 "Officer Lugo's initiative and tenacity exemplify the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Services Divisions' commitment to fulfilling our mission; her work ensured safety of the citizens of Fairfax County and the compassionate rescue of an animal in need," said Tawny Hammond, Director of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Surprisingly, Biscuit allowed Lugo and the veterinary staff to hold and pet him. Lugo has offered to foster Biscuit to help him acclimate to living in a house with human companions. He will be available for adoption after he has had some time to readjust.


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