A dog found chained to a tree in a wildfire evacuation alert zone near Port Alberni is now safe and recovering. The dog was rescued on August 3 from a remote trail near the Wesley Ridge wildfire, close to Marples Road and Winning Way at Cameron Lake.
Local resident Janet O’Reilly first heard the dog crying deep in the woods. Although she considered investigating, she held back at first due to safety concerns.
“Cars don’t usually go up that road,” she said. “I didn’t feel safe going into the bush alone. It might’ve been someone’s camp.”
Later that day, about 10 hours later, her neighbor stumbled upon the dog while walking his own dogs. The animal was found chained to a tree with no food or water.
Together, the pair decided to act. O’Reilly tried contacting the SPCA, conservation officers, and the RCMP, but couldn’t reach anyone right away. She then brought water and slowly approached the distressed dog.
“She barked at first, but as soon as I put down the water, she drank and drank,” said O’Reilly. “She then let me sit beside her. Luckily, the chain was only clipped on with a carabiner.”
Her neighbor stayed close but gave the dog space to avoid causing stress. O’Reilly recorded a short video of the situation and posted it on social media. That video caught the attention of a local SPCA volunteer.
The volunteer helped arrange a safe handover. The dog was transferred to the RCMP, who brought her to the Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA centre in Port Alberni.
Sam Sattar, the manager of the SPCA branch in Port Alberni, confirmed that the dog is doing well. She is a female pit bull cross, estimated to be around two years old. She has no tattoo or microchip, making it hard to identify her owner.
Sattar said the dog may have been abandoned in the remote area.
“This type of abandonment is rare on Vancouver Island,” he said. “But if someone is under an evacuation alert and can’t care for their pets, they should contact the SPCA. We can help with emergency boarding or foster care.”
The SPCA has already helped several families affected by the Cameron Lake wildfire alerts. Support has come mainly through the Port Alberni, Nanaimo, and Comox SPCA locations.
For now, the rescued dog remains under care at the Port Alberni SPCA. She will be kept safe until her owner is found or a new home becomes available.
Anyone with information about the dog or her owner is asked to contact the SPCA in Port Alberni.
