> At a Glance
> – Dawson, a 40-pound brindle dog, slipped his kennel and front door on Jan. 5
> – Shelter footage shows him pawing his gate, then turning the deadbolt with his mouth
> – Over 4 million views have brought tips-but he’s still missing
> – Why it matters: One smart dog’s breakout spotlights shelter overcrowding and the need for public support
A single piece of overnight footage has turned Dawson from an anonymous shelter resident into West Virginia’s most-wanted pup after he engineered a two-lock escape from the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter and disappeared into the cold January darkness.
The Great Getaway
Staff arrived on the morning of Jan. 5 to find an empty kennel and a front door ajar. Security video reveals Dawson first lifting the latch on his run with a paw, trotting down a hallway, and rising on his hind legs to grip the deadbolt in his teeth. One twist of the tongue and the latch retracted; the door swung open, letting the 40-pound brindle dog trot out at 2:43 a.m.
The shelter posted the clip on Facebook, captioning it:
> “This is NOT AI, though we wish it was. This guy is much smarter than he looks.”
Viral Fame, Real-World Frustration
The post exploded online-85,000 shares, 8,000 comments-but not all attention has been helpful. Critics accused the shelter of staging the video or running shoddy operations, prompting a Jan. 7 response:
> “Many comments blame our shelter for being a terrible place with poor conditions. That’s not true. We’re trying.”
Staff stress they operate as a no-kill facility under constant strain:
- Thousands of strays and owner surrenders arrive yearly
- A recent fee-waived adoption placed 184 animals in one weekend-nearly as many filled the empty spaces the next day
- Overcrowding increases the chance of clever pets like Dawson finding ways out
How to Help
Anyone who spots Dawson is urged to call:
- 304-696-5551
- 304-544-5891
A fundraiser created for the search notes that once recovered, Dawson will be placed with a “seasoned” dog owner experienced in secure containment.
Key Takeaways
- Dawson’s breakout shows even well-built kennels can’t always contain determined dogs
- Viral attention brings both useful tips and unwarranted criticism for cash-strapped shelters
- Donations, adoptions, and responsible pet containment remain the best ways to support local rescues
Until Dawson is safely back, shelter staff and volunteers will keep canvassing neighborhoods, setting humane traps, and hoping the internet’s favorite escape artist trades freedom for a forever home that can handle his Houdini streak.
