Canine Crusaders

10/16/2025

Sightings of this dog cropped up on Erie Animal Network last week. She was initially seen near Norman Way, then made her way up 97, and ended up being South of I90. This caught Staci’s attention, and Michael Valerio went to work! Staci did some networking, while Michael put up cameras and food plots; and Jan put signs up in the area. Michael was able to speak with multiple neighbors, whom also wanted to help this pup. Within a couple of days of the first sighting, we learned that this gal’s name was Kita, and that she had a very loving family. Kathy connected with us, and informed us that Kita is her sister’s dog. Kita is a senior gal, and her momma has been battling some health issues. Kita Bee had never fled like this, and she is a naturally skittish dog—making this all the more challenging. Erie Animal Network kept us abreast of new sightings. The neighbors put food out, and called in new sightings. They were also willing to allow us to set traps on their property. While Michael was in the area, sightings came in. He continued his search, and was able to put eyes on Kita. Kita’s mom was able to get to the area, and Michael and a neighbor worked quickly to get her momma in front of her. An awesome neighbor drove Michael and Heather around on their Gator. While it took some work, they made it happen. Kita was in survival mode, and initially walked away from her mom. Michael coached Heather on what to do, and eventually Kita surrendered! What initially started out as what we thought was a stray dog, turned out to be a joyous reunion between a spry senior and mom who was committed to getting her pup back home! 💗🐾🫶🏻

10/15/2025

Moses disappeared into thin air a couple of weeks ago. He went out for a potty break, and vanished. Moses is known to roam the ‘hood, and many people looked forward to their interactions with him. Several concerned neighbors advocated for his return, as there were no sightings for several days. Hannah Marie reached out for help. Staci connected Jan Dean with Hannah, and they posted signs. Within a couple of hours, Moses reappeared, and was back home in no time!! Thank you, Hannah; and all the other awesome neighbors that were looking out for this handsome boy!! Signs bring sightings, and much needed attention, to lost dogs. 💗🐾🫶🏻l says

10/09/2025

On 10/4/25, Jill Houseal reach out, to connect Canine Crusaders with Holly. Holly and Rick adopted Luna back in June, and she settled in wonderfully with her buddy, King. While getting ready to go for a walk last week, something startled Luna, and she bolted!

Her family tried locating and containing her for two days, and were growing desperate. They were connected with the Crusaders. and we immediately got to work. Staci began giving advice and guidance. Holly and Rick followed all advice, and were willing to do whatever it took to get their baby home safe. It was quickly learned that Luna was staying in the same area. Michael Valerio made 5 trips to Panama, New York-an hour away, to set up multiple traps. He spent several days and hours in the Panama, New York area, helping the family. He easily spent at least 25 hours there, over the course of 3 days. Rick and Holly took King out, as well as delicious food.

We then received reports that Luna had a face full of quills 😢. We became even more desperate, and grew concerned that we would not be able to lure her with food. She was seen by one of our Missy traps, but never set off the camera. The door was closed due to the rain, so she couldn’t go in. We patiently waited, and our desperation was going. It was pouring rain, and she was injured. A little while later, an alert came in. Just as we were watching the cameras, she went in, and the door quickly closed behind her the rest is history!! Thank you to the wonderful neighbors, for allowing us to set traps on your property, and to Jill for connecting us with Rick and Holly!! We are so happy that Luna is safe and sound!! 💗🐾🫶🏻

10/05/2025

Sophie’s mom, Shannon, reached out to Canine Crusaders to possibly assist with locating her 18 year old, blind and deaf YorkiePoo. Sophie had somehow gotten out of the backyard through a gap in the fence. Sophie’s family and friends had been searching for her for many hours. Staci Lynd reached out to the rest of Canine Crusaders to see if anyone was available to do a foot search. Crusader Amy jumped in her car and along with Sophie’s dad, Mike, started searching deep into the woods. After about a half hour of battling branches and thorny bushes, Amy spotted something on the ground. It was as if Sophie knew someone was coming for her! She was completely calm, just waiting for rescue! Her dad scooped her up and took her home. Happy endings are the absolute best!

10/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19rStdAfBu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/29/2025

Sweet Millie had been running around Northeast for several days, and had shown up on multiple cameras. Within a few hours of getting back in town, Michael Valerio hit the ground running! Michael was familiar with the area, as he trapped a lovely pup in the same neighborhood just months prior. He spoke with multiple people in the area, and within a few hours, calls started coming in. Gary Cunningham called, and reported that this pup had been on his camera multiple times. He began feeding her, and allowed Micheal to set up the Missy trap on his property. Even though she covered some ground, she made her way into the trap. Huge thanks to Gary Cunningham, for keeping this sweet girl fed, and allowing Michael to work his magic on your property! 💗🐾🫶🏻

09/22/2025

Michael Valerio has been on a roll for the past few days – two pups, both in rural areas, within four days!! Details to follow! 😁💗🐾

09/15/2025

In late June, we received reports of a hound-type dog, that was running busy roads, down in Crawford County. She was running Roger’s Ferry Road, and Rt 98. There were multiple posts about her, and Lori Gibson Moses of Saving Shepherds Rescue reached out to Michael Valerio directly when she saw her. The pup crossed I-79 at least a couple of times, and was covering a lot of ground. The last known sighting was on 7/7. Someone traveling 79 saw her in the median. She appeared to be caught on something, as she was wearing a collar of some sort. The passerby was unable to stop, due to safety concerns; but did contact PSP and us immediately. We also notified the Crawford County Dog Warden. Michael, Michelle and Lori all went searching, but couldn’t not locate her. The Dog Warden was also unable to locate her. There were no more sightings, and we were devastated. Michael continuously searched, and found what appeared to be a carcass, but couldn’t not safely confirm that it was her. The thought of that poor pup suffering just shattered us.

Fast forward a couple of months…Staci Lynd had been traveling through the area, and prayed while scanning the medians. She prayed for a sign, a sighting, something to know what happened to this pup. Exactly 2 days later, Lori Hanmore posted a video clip of a pup that was roaming around on her deck, over in Conneaut Lake. In the video, it was apparent that a broken lead was on her neck. We did some comparisons, and after connecting with others that had seen her in Conneaut Lake, determined that it was our pup!! Her fur appeared to be darker, leading us to believe that she was a puppy, but it was her! Staci made a post on Facebook, which generated a few more sightings, but they were sporadic. Jan, Lori and Staci put signs up, and SEVERAL sightings began rolling in. The sightings were nonstop. She had been frequenting a neighborhood, on the East Side of Conneaut Lake. Then a call came in from Ron and Kathy. Ron feeds the wildlife every day. This pup had been coming to his feed station, like clockwork, almost every single day, for two weeks. Ron would put feed out at 5, and she was there by 530. Once Ron knew how serious this was, he ramped up the buffet offerings-to include pizza, and other delicious leftovers. The Crusaders got the break that they needed, and knew that they had to get the Missy trap up. Due to the dog’s size, a standard box trap was too risky. Even 1 failed attempt could cause this pup to vacate the area. Patty and Staci loaded up the Missy trap, and headed to Conneaut Lake. Ron and Kathy so graciously allowed us to set up on their property; and Lori, Patty, Staci, Ron and Kathy got to work, building the trap. After hitting a few small snags along the way, we were finally ready to go. Patty and Staci headed home to Erie County, and expected that the pup may return in a day or two. We didn’t expect her to return the same evening, due to the commotion from setting the trap up. Not even two hours later, we got an “animal” alert, from one of our live feeds. Staci pulled the camera up, and sure enough, our girl was secured in the trapped. She frantically circled for a few minutes, until Ron and Kathy came and sat with her. Staci jumped back in the car, and headed back to Conneaut Lake, to pick up the precious cargo. Lori, Kathy, Ron and Bob, sat with the scared girl, until Staci arrived. She was then safely loaded up and secured in the car, then transported to the ANNA Shelter. It was was of the stinkiest rides of all time, but sooooo worth it. Jesse is settling in nicely, and will be up for adoption soon. She is expected to be only 10 months old. She is a beautiful, very smart and really brave girl! She definitely had a guardian Angel! Staci got to sneak in a quick visit today, and there’s no doubt that these pups are grateful. As for Jesse? She gets a new leash on life!! It truly takes a village, and this village played a crucial role in thus capture! 💗🐾

09/06/2025

Several weeks ago, we learned about a beautiful Treeing Walker Coonhound, that had been doing a 16 mile-ish loop, for 2-3 months. While it was an hour away from our general operating area, we knew she needed help. She had lost a substantial amount of weight, and was clipped by a vehicle.

There were several different campgrounds in the area, and it appeared that she would spend a few days at each, before moving on to the next. However, she was traveling very busy roads most of the time. There were photos captured of her walking around in the pouring down rain, and one of her curled up on an outside porch at a funeral home-they were heartbreaking to look at.

Staci and Patty drove out on a Friday, to set up a camera and food plot, but it seemed that the dog had moved on. As they were leaving the area, sightings came in of the dog, so they headed back and set up a camera and food plot. They connected with Christine, whom lived close by, and was willing to help this pup however she could. The pup never returned to that specific food plot. A couple of days later, Staci and Patty returned, and set up a box trap and the Missy trap with Vicki’s (of Great Dames Trap & Recover) help. Vicki drove two hours each way, so assist fellow trappers in need! The hound returned, entered the box trap, but was able to quickly back out before the door latched. She then continued on her loop, and didn’t reappear on camera for a few days. Michael returned a few days after the Missy trap was set, to work his magic!

Reports came in that she was back in the town square area, and some very helpful neighbors quickly put food out. She ate all of the food, and after hanging out for a day or so, disappeared again. She eventually showed up at the Missy trap-several miles away, but didn’t go in. We watched as she chased raccoons away, but she wouldn’t follow them into the Missy trap they ran inside it. After pulling her disappearing act for another couple of days, she showed up at yet another campground!! Once again, the community rallied around us, and put food out for her. She began showing an interest in the campers-even approaching them, but would turn and run when they showed an interest in her.

Vicki made a 2nd trip up, and she and Michael relocated one of the Missy traps, but she did not return. He was able to locate her, fast asleep, on one of the camper’s porches. He approached her, stealth like a ninja, and grabbed ahold of her collar. A struggle snuggle ensued, and after several minutes of holding her, he was able to secure her inside of his vehicle. We absolutely do not recommend this approach!! This pup was not injured, but Michael did not walk away unscathed. Numerous unsuccessful attempts were made locate an owner. This beautiful girl has since been vetted and adopted! Happy tails for sweet Paige!! 💗🐾🫶🏻

09/04/2025

Don’t ever give up!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17MsPMJeGP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

** Update: After nearly 1 year, Killua is back home with his family who never stopped looking for him!

Killua is a very handsome boy that went missing in Austin, MN while visiting family. Killua and another dog were outdoors playing when they both took off. The second dog came back without Killua. The family searched immediately talking to all neighbors as well as local businesses. He is a friendly boy, with an adorable, distinguished black ear but he is scared and in an unfamiliar area. If you see him please ignore him and call with sighting details or information right away.
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Dog's Name: Killua
Date Lost: September 22, 2024
Date Retrieved: September 4, 2025
Case Manager: Crystal Markfort
First Responder: Anna Nelson
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