Out of the 'Wild': An Unlikely Survivor in a Dog Eat Dog World

From the beginning, the animal surviving in the urban wild -- on the streets and unknown hiding places of northern Virginia -- had everything going against him: He weighed barely more than a pocket full of change, and his jutted jaw full of baby-sized teeth were hardly meant for hunting.

Shih tzus were not meant for the wild.

This one, though, somehow managed to survive on his own for two years, through snowfalls, ice storms and under brutally hot summer suns, eluding manhunts, children-hunts, dragnets, trackers and traps.

Finally, though, "Biscuit" -- the name given to him by children who'd catch sitings of their own tiny Big Foot -- is not only a kept dog again, but on Friday animal-control officers announced they had located his owner. 

The pocket-sized pooch had escaped children who darted after him and repeatedly out-witted and out-ran animal-control officers who wanted the wire-haired little shih tzu off the streets and into safety.

The officers finally captured him and took him into custody earlier this week, and Friday's announcement that they had found the owner was a decidedly good-news, bad-news propostion: The owner was located but wants nothing to do with the escapee pooch.

Biscuit's former owner actually lived in close proximity to where he had been living on his own since he was reported lost on Sept. 30, 2010. The owner told animal control that Biscuit fled the same day he was purchased from a breeder on Craigslist.

Biscuit was just a puppy when the owner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, brought him home.

Read more: Animal Control Officer Finally Catches 'Biscuit,' Stray Shih Tzu

The owner had posted flyers throughout the neighborhood, but after months of searching, she thought she'd never see him again. She had since purchased another dog.

Enna Lugo was the officer who brought Biscuit in.

"Whenever I came to catch Biscuit, neighborhood residents would tell me the last place they had seen him," Lugo said after finally capturing the dog. "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.

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

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 3 or 4 years old.

After much consideration, the owner decided to surrender Biscuit to the animal shelter, and he will remain in foster care as he adjusts to life in a home with people.

Biscuit will be available for adoption after the foster period ends, which could be a few months from now. When Biscuit becomes available, the Shelter will accept multiple applications and will choose the best home for him. The animal shelter has already received multiple calls — more than 50 —from interested families.

To view animals online or find out more about volunteer opportunities at the Animal Shelter, click here.

See also:

Patch Goes on the Road with Fairfax County Animal Control