Illinois Dog Wanders For Four Days With A Bucket Stuck On His Head, And Rescuers Race To Catch Him
In Illinois, a stray dog was running out of time after getting his head stuck in a bucket, unable to eat or drink for four days. See how a dedicated rescue team finally brought him to safety.
A Four-Day Ordeal

Avoiding Capture

Rescue volunteers knew they had to intervene, but catching a terrified, blinded animal is incredibly difficult.
The team had already chased him for an hour and a half the previous day with no luck.
They tried having people sneak up on him from behind, but the dog remained on high alert, constantly avoiding capture.
Fearing The Worst

The situation was becoming increasingly serious. The rescuers knew they needed to reach him soon to protect his health and safety.
Dehydration and exhaustion were taking their toll on his body.
Still, his sheer panic kept him in survival mode, pushing him to keep running from the very people trying to save his life.
The Chase Toward Kaceyville

The rescue team finally spotted him again near 36th street, heading back toward Kaceyville.
They moved in quickly, hoping to corner him before he could disappear into the brush.
Sarah, the team’s veterinarian, stepped up to lead the charge. She ended up chasing the exhausted dog on foot for about ten minutes.
A Desperate Final Grab

The dog was at his breaking point. He was stumbling and looked like he was about to fall down.
Seeing her chance, Sarah lunged forward and finally got her hands on him.
In the struggle of the capture, a miracle happened: the bucket popped right off his head.
Leaving Survival Mode Behind

With the bucket finally gone, the rescuers held the shaking dog, reassuring him that he was safe.
Understandably, he was absolutely terrified after being on the run and trapped in the dark for so long.
His body had been in pure survival mode, but the team spoke softly to him, letting him know the ordeal was over.
Finding His Sweet Personality

Once he was safely in the care of Gateway Pet Guardians, the healing process began.
They fed him lots of good treats to help him regain his strength.
Before long, his fear melted away. The terrified stray transformed into an absolute love bug who couldn’t get enough affection.
Learning To Play At Last

The rescue team discovered that he is as sweet as can be, loving both people and other dogs.
Now safe indoors, his rescuers at Gateway Pet Guardians decided to give him his first ever toy.
Though he is still learning how to properly play, this brave boy finally has the time, safety, and love to figure out how to just be a dog.