SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The search for a lost dog has prompted a pet recovery expert to join the efforts and the Department of Transportation to set up message boards warning drivers to proceed with caution.
Variable message boards (electronic signs) have been set up in Wilmot along Highway 1A, near Reads Corner, and the P.E.I. RCMP location in North Bedeque.
Katie MacDonald, a spokeswoman for the province, said transportation department staff were contacted about a lost dog Wednesday night, that it had been seen crossing the highway several times.
"Animals crossing the highway is always a hazard for drivers. So in the interest of driver safety, especially with the current and forecast rainy driving conditions at night, staff felt the need to put signs up to warn drivers to stay alert for the potential of an unexpected animal crossing," she said.
Initially, drivers were warned to proceed with caution because "wildlife" was present in the area. The wording will be revised to give drivers a clearer message as to what the hazard is, said MacDonald.
"She's even running from her owner right now. So if you see her, back off enough from her where she doesn't see you but you can see if she's moved and let us know right away."
-Mike Chapman, missing pet recovery technician
The dog, a border collie named Sailor, has been missing since Nov. 15 from the Wilmot area. Betty Hunter is the owner of the dog. Her friend, Nalan Stretch is part of the search for Sailor.
"We haven't had a sighting of her today. But we're still hoping to see her. We've found her tracks and her poop and we think we know where she is," Stretch told the Journal Pioneer on Thursday.
Stretch described this stage of the search as "slow and patient". She said it's important that if someone sees Sailor, they not engage with her.
"Don't even make eye contact. She's even running from her owner right now. So if you see her, back off enough from her where she doesn't see you but you can see if she's moved and let us know right away. If she runs, please let us know what direction she went and where she may have entered a tree line."
Mike Chapman is a missing pet recovery technician from Nova Scotia. He was contacted by someone in the search group and has since come to the Island and joined the search. In July, Chapman was part of a search for a missing dog from Kansas that had been in New Waterford, N.S. for a dog show.
In an interview with the Cape Breton Post during the July search, Chapman said animals change when they are lost and their brain does not function in the same way. In the interview, he said calling for the animal or chasing them can spook them and undo the work he's done to track them.
The public is asked to report any sightings of Sailor to Stretch at 902-439-3773, Sailor's owner Betty Hunter at 902-303-1049 or Leah Noye at 902-432-4774.
For more information on the search for Sailor go to "SEARCHING FOR SAILOR!!" Facebook group or visit the P.E.I. Lost Pet Network Facebook Page.
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