Runaway dog who swam the width of the Ohio River finally finds a home

By Fiona Jackson via SWNS

A dog has been adopted after a week-long rescue mission when the pooch swam 3,300 feet across a river.

Rescue pup Allie slipped her collar and ran away from her owner last year, swimming the width of the Ohio River into another state.

She was timid, and ran from everyone who tried to capture her, until one week later rescuers finally gained her trust and were able to trap her.

After spending a whole year with trainer Michelle Phillips, 51, working on her trust issues, the doggy expert finally adopted Allie.

"I really decided quite early on that she wasn't going anywhere," saidMichelle, from Boonville, Indiana.

"I believe dogs are family and mine have a good life, every dog deserves a loving home and a chance.

"I could not stand to put her through anything more so I really thought, what better time than the year 'anniversary' of finding her?"

On December 5, 2020, Allie escaped from her then-owner's home in downtown Evansville.

The timid pooch then raced towards the huge Ohio River, jumped in and started to swim.

Rescuers from Evansville Police, Fire and Animal Control departments attempted to fish her out the river but she wouldn't go close, and narrowly missed a barge as she fled.

"I raced down there and found several people watching her in the water and said she had gone under several times," said Michelle

After an hour-long swim, the cross-breed pup reached the bank of the river into Henderson County, Kentucky and dashed into the woodland.

A week-long rescue mission was then initiated, with volunteers and rescuers going into the forest daily to try and coax her to safety.

She ran away from everyone who came close, and even asked locals to refrain from trying to catch her or lure her with food.

Drones, cameras and traps were all set up but proved fruitless until handlers from shelter It Takes A Village started trying to regain her trust.

They went into the woods armed with treats and trained dogs, but every time she caught site of a lead she'd retreat.

Eventually the volunteers were able to coax her into an open field and, six hours later, managed to fence her in and leash her up.

In fact, the dog that first located Allie and was instrumental in luring her back was another ex-shelter dog, Arlo.

Bar being tired and hungry, the pooch was in good health and was placed in the care of volunteer trainer Michelle to help her become a family dog.

"We just brought her home and she went and laid down on our couch," saidpurchasing manager Michelle.

"I don't think she moved much that first night, we just let her be.

"She was extremely fearful of people, dog leashes, and just scared."

They were only meant to spend a few months training together, but after a year of bonding, Michelle decided to adopt Allie permanently this month.

"She is so loving, she is happy, loves to sleep next to me at night," she said.

"She loves to run down the driveway and she has a long stride so my chihuahua Bettle loves to try to beat her, Allie will always win.

""She is a great member of my pack and I use her for training sessions with other dogs as she is great at being a calm dog and understands dog language.

"I never have to worry that she will be aggressive or cause issues with any other dog."