In the aftermath of a fatal car crash in South Carolina on Sunday, a rescue team is still working to capture a dog that went missing during the incident.
The Greenville County Coroner's Office reported that three people died in a wrong-way crash involving four cars on Interstate 85. One of the victims was traveling with her family and two dogs who were no longer at the scene when emergency services arrived.
Anakin's Trails Animal Trapping stepped in to search for the missing canines, named Asta and Moon, and managed to locate and trap Asta, but his sister, Moon, is still missing.
As days passed, hope had begun to fade when drone operator Chad Lathem captured footage of Moon deep in the nearby woods.
The rescue team was thrilled that Moon is safe but still haven't been able to capture her and bring her to safety.
"If you chase her, she will make impulsive decisions," Ashley Raymond, founder and director of Anakin's Trails Animal Search, told Newsweek. "Trapping a dog that is as scared as Moon takes time and patience."
Moon, traumatized by the accident, roamed through the unfamiliar territory, her fear driving her farther away from the interstate.
Since the sighting, the rescue team has strategically placed traps and surveillance near areas of sightings, understanding that Moon needs to regain trust on her own terms before she is likely to be caught.
"She must learn to trust it first," Raymond said.
Moon cautiously navigated the trails, occasionally relocating due to fear. The team, however, had a secret weapon—Asta, Moon's brother. They walked Asta through the woods to saturate the area with his scent, providing a familiar anchor for Moon.
As Moon's "den" was discovered with the help of the drone, the team cautiously approached, only to witness Moon's skittish response.
"We backed off and left the area," Raymond said.
As the rescue operation continues, Asta is being cared for by the team after being seen to by a veterinarian who treated his injuries, and despite his ordeal, he is doing well.
In more good news, Moon was spotted in a local resident's yard for the second time since taking off. On the move, she has been spotted at least seven times since Wednesday. Now the team will wait for her to trust them enough to come to safety.
"Yesterday was amazing progress," the team said. "This can't be rushed."
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