10 February 2023 , 16:18
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A dog abandoned in the desert by cruel owners has been spotted living with coyotes.
The all-white dog, nicknamed Ghost by nearby locals, would sometimes enter nearby neighbourhoods with his new unlikely pack.
According to reports Ghost didn't just run with the pack of coyotes but actually led it.
It's believed the dog may have been dumped as a puppy before it was taken in by the coyotes.
Susan McMullen, of the Southern Nevada Trapping Team, said: “It seems like he may have been put out there between seven and eight months and somehow or another, the coyotes just accepted him.”
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The first reports of Ghost were made on social media in July 2022.
Ghost shows no interest in humans and every time someone would approach him he would disappear.
Ghost caught on a trail cam (KVVU)Recentl McMullen learned that Ghost may have been injured and rushed to help him along with her partner Timi Zondiros.
She said: “He was actually just running with them and eating with them, but then he started to limp, and we were afraid that the coyotes could turn on him."
With the help of neighbours who had been keeping an eye on Ghost as well as posting regular updates on social media, McMullen and Zondiros set out to find him.
The dog has been spotted numerous times by concerned locals (KVVU)Their tireless search led to them managing to bait Ghost into a humane trap with food.
“When he got into that crate…. He just sat down. I think he was also relieved,” Zondiros said.
McMullen said Ghost is friendly with people despite his feral lifestyle.
His time running with the pack did take its toll and there were scars across Ghost's face and body.
He was captured after some trappers stepped up to help (KVVU)He also needed to get skin issues dealt with, a broken tow amputated and an ear infection treated.
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“He’s got some rocks in his belly because he was probably hungry and ate some rocks, so we are just going to watch those and hopefully those will pass so we don’t have to have yet another surgery,” McMullen said.
Once his medical treatment is finished, Ghost will be put up for adoption.
He will need some training though as living with coyotes didn't get him ready for life as a house dog.
McMullen continued: “He is not crate trained. He is not leash trained… he doesn’t sleep at night. He paces; he pants, nighttime is really hard for him."
Despite being abandoned Ghost doesn't resent people and his carers think he's ready for adoption.
A GoFundMe has been setup to help with the pup's medical bills.