NEW ORLEANS — A scruffy little runaway dog has found himself back in the spotlight as he evades a determined group of locals equipped with night-vision binoculars, nets, and even a tranquilizer rifle. This 17-pound terrier mix, affectionately known as Scrim, has captured the hearts of residents and become something of a folk hero, inspiring items like tattoos, T-shirts, and even a song in his honor.
Scrim’s story has captured the public’s imagination as he evades capture. Rescued from life on the streets at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, Scrim broke free back in April. After weeks of roaming the streets, he was caught in October and briefly settled into a new home. However, just weeks later, he leaped from a second-story window in a dramatic escape that gained him viral fame. Since then, despite frequent sightings, he has remained on the run.
Leading the charge to recapture Scrim is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former IT professional. Cheramie knows the struggle of rebuilding after losing everything to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Following the disaster, she dedicated her life to pet rescue, founding Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that facilitates around 600 adoptions each year and provides free pet food to those in need. Cheramie was instrumental in helping Scrim find the home he ran away from.
After Scrim leaped from her window, Cheramie intensified her efforts to track him down. She tirelessly posts flyers, updates social media with sightings, and has invested considerable funds in technology like wildlife cameras and thermal sensors while training on tranquilizing animals. Cheramie has assembled a dedicated team of volunteers who are willing to search the city at all hours for Scrim.
Among the passionate supporters is writer David W. Brown, who has created a shared Google Map tracking Scrim’s sightings. He observes that the search has prompted community members from various backgrounds to unite, turning the endeavor into an opportunity to also assist those in need throughout the city. “Finding solutions is part of being a good neighbor,” Brown remarked.
Friends and neighbors, like Tammy Murray, have joined the pursuit, finding personal healing through the effort. Murray closed her furniture store and lost her father, but the quest for Scrim has given her renewed purpose. “For months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said the 53-year-old, expressing her determination likening herself to the cartoon character Wile E. Coyote. As she darts around the city looking for Scrim, she once accidentally shattered a van window when her tactical net launcher misfired. Following this mishap, she switched to a Vespa scooter to maintain a low profile while searching.
Despite near-captures, Scrim remains elusive. One close encounter saw volunteers set up a net around him while he napped beneath a house, yet a misstep by a team member allowed him to escape through an opening. Coverage of Scrim’s adventures by local media has blossomed, along with a passionate online fan base advocating for his freedom under the hashtag #FreeScrim. While these supporters wish for Scrim’s autonomy, Cheramie argues that the streets of New Orleans are not a safe haven for him.
Cheramie recalls when Scrim was briefly captured in October, noting his poor condition: unkempt fur, damaged teeth, and a frail body showing signs of distress. Though he initially appeared comfortable in her home, he soon found a way to escape again, prompting concern among those involved in his rescue. Murray humorously speculated that Cheramie’s four cats might have unnerved Scrim and contributed to his desire to bolt.
Despite the setbacks, Cheramie and her team are considering the best possible future for Scrim, perhaps envisioning a secure sanctuary where he can coexist with other dogs and truly find peace. Murray sums it up neatly: “Somewhere he can just breathe and be.”
