In Mobile, Alabama, a Cane Corso later named Bear spent close to a year roaming with a large plastic container jammed over his head.
Residents reported sightings for months, but Bear would bolt the second anyone tried to help.
Because of his size and fear, standard trapping methods were not enough.
City of Mobile Animal Services and the Mobile County Animal Shelter joined forces, building a coordinated plan to get him safely off the streets.
A Long Search With Few Answers
Over time, the same troubling detail never changed. Bear still had the container on his head every time someone saw him.
Rescuers believed it was the top of a trash can, likely something he got stuck in while scavenging for food near public areas.
It is remarkable he managed to survive so long, since the container made basic needs harder and kept him on constant alert.
Even when food was offered, he stayed wary and disappeared into the neighborhood before rescuers could get close.
After one resident contacted authorities with timely information, the team finally got their chance. Working together, they approached Bear carefully and removed the plastic from his head.
The relief did not last. Moments later, Bear panicked and took off before anyone could slip on a leash.
Rescuers kept searching, regrouped, and continued the effort until they were able to capture him without harm and transport him to the city shelter.
“The staff absolutely LOVE him and he is being treated like a king. He is very sweet and has a long happy life ahead of him,” Martin Miller, one of the volunteers involved in the rescue, wrote on social media.
From Stray Hold To A Home
At the shelter, Bear was placed on a stray hold and was not immediately available for adoption. Staff gave him time to decompress, offered steady care, and monitored him closely as he adjusted to a kennel environment after so long outdoors.
As days passed, Bear began to relax around familiar faces, and he formed a noticeable bond with a rescuer from the mission.
“Trying to find a good home for a dog that’s garnered this much publicity is always a big deal. There’s gonna be a ton of people that wanna take him home. And in this particular case, we got to thinking about it, and really, who better than one of the team members that spent so much time trying to get him off the streets in the first place,” Robert Bryant, the City of Mobile Animal Services Director, told WKRG.
Soon after, Bear officially became part of the Miller family.
With a safe place to sleep and people who understood his past, he could finally settle into a calmer routine. The once untouchable dog started showing his gentle side, leaning into affection and enjoying the stability he never had.
Bear also took on a special role in the community. He now serves as an ambassador for City of Mobile Animal Services, often spending time at the shelter alongside Martin and helping encourage adoption.
