Abandoned Dog Finds Forever Home

Leila Cochrane reports on a community that banded together to save a dog

Redgy the Runaway Dog (courtesy of Maureen Fielding)

Two months after being abandoned on the side of the road and sparking a community-wide search, a red heeler dog has found a loving home and become a familiar face around town.

The dog was allegedly dumped from a black ute before spending 32 hours on the run, evading concerned residents who were determined to bring him to safety. What began as a distressing incident quickly united locals, rescue organisations, and volunteers in an effort that ultimately gave the dog a second chance at life.

Leading the search was local resident Maureen Fielding, who joined the effort after seeing a post about a group of girls who saw the dog dropped on the side of the road.

"I saw a Facebook post at 8pm and decided to head down to the area in which the post had said the dog had been spotted," Fielding said. "On my search I saw [another local], who asked if I was also out looking for the dog."

Over the next day, community members continued to track sightings of the frightened dog as he moved through the area. Residents shared information online and searched local roads, parks and properties in an attempt to locate him.

The dog was eventually captured on March 10, 2026, and spent eight days in a mandatory impound period. Following the impound period, the animal charity Australian Working Dogs Rescue stepped in to provide further care. The organisation arranged for the dog to be desexed and vaccinated and also provided foster care in Hurstbridge while searching for a permanent home.

The rescue effort attracted significant local attention, with social media posts about the dog receiving over 1.2k likes, as residents followed the story and shared their own stories of encountering the dog during his time on the run.

Eventually the dog found a forever home with local neighbour, Tracey Glynn, and became “Redgy.”

He's now something of a local celebrity who is regularly recognised while out on walks. One woman driving to pick up her daughter from a party told Glynn she had spotted Redgy sitting in the middle of the road. "When she tried to catch him, he ran off," Glynn said.

Redgy’s journey from abandonment to adoption has become a local legend and a positive example of what community spirit can achieve. These days, Redgy doesn't run away, but runs towards the neighbours who saved him..