March 19, 2008

‘Chopper’ reunited with owner after car crash

     A dog and its owner were reunited Tuesday after an auto accident near The Dalles caused their separation Feb. 29, according to Oregon State Police information.
     The vehicle crashed three miles east of The Dalles on Interstate 84. Two adult pit bulls were passengers in the vehicle driven by Katherine Budlong of Albany.
     Both dogs were ejected in the roll-over crash. The 4-year-old female, “Roxy,” was killed. A two-year old male, “Chopper,” ran from the crash scene and could not be found.
     Budlong was treated and released for minor injuries.
     On March 6, citizens reported they had observed a male pit bull in the vicinity of the crash site. A trooper from The Dalles Area Command found the dog, but could not coax it to him. He tracked it for more than an hour, then lost sight.
     Last weekend, a rural resident of The Dalles spotted the dog on her property about four miles from the area of the crash. She placed food and a dog bed in her barn for the animal. On Monday, Wasco County Animal Control Officer Brad Heinige was able to capture him.
     Chopper was emaciated, had multiple contusions, and a bad leg, but is expected to fully recover. Budlong’s father came to The Dalles and picked up the dog on Monday.