By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
IT only took a moment for Alex Tismanariu’s poodle Sasha to disappear in Pakenham last week.
But it took six days and a special effort from a council employee to put Sasha back in the Dandenong North man’s grateful arms.
Sasha took off on Tuesday 27 October as Alex was dropping her off at a grooming appointment. After she was reported missing to Cardinia Shire Council, compliance officer Jess Azzopardi made it her mission to bring Sasha home.
“Staff at the depot saw the dog running around the area but we just couldn’t catch her,” Jess said of the effort to find the missing dog.
“I went out again a few times to see if I could try and find her but she was too scared to come near me.”
Dedicated to the cause, Jess continued to visit the area over the weekend and at night to look for any sign of the runaway.
A cat trap loaded with food and water was also set up, however there was still no sign of Sasha over the weekend.
It wasn’t until Monday morning 2 November that the breakthrough came.
“I almost gave up hope but on the Monday, I got another call from the depot that said she was still hanging around,” she said.
“So we set another trap and we went back a few hours later and there she was!”
Jess called Alex who came to pick up Sasha straight away, making for a very happy reunion
As well as the sincere thanks of Alex, the council’s Compliance Services acting co-ordinator Darryl McKean said Jess’s dedication to the case was exemplary.
“Jess really went above and beyond in her efforts to catch and return this dog,” he said.
“It was a great result thanks to some creative thinking from Jess.”
