A tragedy along I-10 in Avondale has left a relocating family scrambling in search of its two missing dogs — and they need the community’s help.
Earlier this month, a family relocating to Houston from another country was transporting its four dogs along I-10. The transport vehicle briefly stopped at Exit 129 (Dysart Road), when their four dogs escaped. One has been returned safely to the family, and the other was found dead along the freeway.
Two dogs, Gru and Browny, remain missing with no credible sightings of either as of May 30. One dog is black with white marks on its paws and chest, while the other is brown with white marks on its paws and chest; both are approximately 100 pounds and two feet tall.
The family, who has asked not to be named, is asking for the West Valley community’s help, alongside the Arizona-based Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team (HARTT) in their desperate search for their beloved dogs.
“Not only did these two dogs fly internationally, but now they’re in another state from where they flew from,” HARTT West Valley team lead Carrianne Frary said. “They are family-owned animals that are very loved. My understanding is that they are inside dogs, and they only know the family. The expectation with these two, based on that knowledge, is that they are most likely not going to come up to anybody.”
Should anyone spot Gru or Browny, Frary asks that they do not call out their names. Instead, leave food or water out for them, and either text or call 623-343-4407.
“Dogs get spooked very easily when they’re in fright and flight mode, and when you’re yelling their name, all they hear is yelling, even if it’s the owner yelling their name. Majority of the times they’re just going to run,” she said.
HARTT is a volunteer-based Arizona nonprofit that goes beyond the typical approach of rescue groups. Where most focus on adoptions, HARTT focuses on field rescue of animals, and on getting them to safety. Whether it is a family searching for a lost dog, an animal found on the streets abandoned by their owners or a semi-feral animal born into the environment, HARTT specializes on humanely capturing them and getting them into safety.
Using shy dog techniques and humane trapping, HARTT offers its services in Maricopa County, Payson and Tucson based on volunteer availability. They have created a flyer for Gru and Browny and there is a $100 reward for any credible photo or video of the animals.
“Sightings are always key for us to be able to be successful in narrowing down where our target dogs are,” Frary said.
HARTT is hoping for any information regarding the spotting of the dogs. They are unfamiliar with the area, and given the time that has passed, they could be anywhere in the West Valley. HARTT is focusing on Avondale, Goodyear and Tolleson, but is also asking for residents of Peoria and Glendale to keep an eye out for Gru and Browny.
“For these dogs, we had absolutely no sighting. I am starting to think that they may be only coming out when it’s in the very early morning hours where there’s very little people. So, I definitely am asking people that are up late at night, maybe coming home from work, to keep their eyes open for them,” Frary said.
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