Thaindian News

July 26, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The Frankfort Humane Society mistook a dog to be a coyote and it was released into the wild. The American Kennel Club-registered dog was owned by Lori Goodlett, who said the dog named Copper was 11 years old and a female.

Copper was staying with Lori along with another 15 year old dog named Trigger. According to her, Copper and Trigger were vplaying in her fenced backyard when she left on July 3. When she returned, Copper was not there. Lori said, “I searched for her in the neighborhood area and asked everyone showing the photo.”

When Goodlett put posters of the dog, she was contacted by the Frankfort police. They informed her that an officer took the dog to humane society thinking it was a stray. Later, a society worker called up the police and said that they must pick it up as coyotes are not allowed here.

The animal was then left loose by the department at the back of a home improvement store following a consultation with a wildlife expert, who advised that the coyotes should either be killed or returned to the wild.

John Forbes, the Humane Society board chairman said he supports the decision of the shelter. He added, “It is against the law to keep a coyote in the shelter as our manger assessed it to be one. We have a faith in the people working here.”

However, Goodlett is still unable to understand how her dog could be misidentified as a coyote. She said, “When Copper was young, people used to say that she resembled a fox as she had pointed ears but she was never mistaken for a coyote.

Frankfort Police Maj. Frank Deaton stated that the dog did not bear a collar or any other identification mark. He added, “Luckily, the dog was photographed by the officer, who had foresight.”

Goodlett is now being supported by the police and volunteers and hopes to find her Copper. The lady said, “My head says Copper has gone forever but my heart still has a hope that a good family may have found her.”