Witnesses reported that the dog appeared unusually agitated before slipping its collar and sprinting away. Family members attempted to follow but quickly lost sight of it as it moved with apparent urgency through residential streets and open terrain. Officers were notified and tracked the direction of travel using patrol vehicles and drone support.
Approximately five kilometers from Nancy’s home, near a stretch of brush and sandy embankment close to the Rillito River, deputies located the dog. What drew immediate attention, officials said, was the animal’s behavior. Rather than wandering aimlessly, it was fixated on a specific patch of recently disturbed soil. Officers observed the dog clawing intensely at what appeared to be a shallow area of freshly turned earth.
