A resourceful dog in San Bernardino, California triggered security alarms when she escaped her kennel and opened three doors in search of her previous owner.
Ginger, a nearly three-year-old German Shepherd mix, was left at the shelter mid-September after her owner became homeless.
“He was absolutely heartbroken. He just couldn’t keep her and live in a car,” said Apple Valley Animal Shelter’s Gina Whiteside in an interview with the San Bernardino Sun.
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That same day, Ginger managed to jump over her six-foot-tall kennel fence and wandered through the shelter to make her escape.
Surveillance footage shows the canine opening three separate doors and even overriding the locked front doors using the emergency exit system.
“She was persistent,” said Whiteside. “That door sometimes sticks, but she kept at it until she put her mouth on it and she was out.”
Staff found Ginger a few days later, around five kilometres from where she used to live.
“When we found her, we think she was on her way to her old home,” said Whiteside.
The shelter is hoping the tale of Ginger’s great escape will help attract a caring new owner for her.
It appears it has worked. The shelter’s latest Facebook update reads: “Due to a significant influx of inquiries over the weekend we wish to inform the public that response time may be delayed.”
“She’s a sweet dog and a great companion,” said Whiteside. “She just needs someone who knows the breed. They are very smart.”