Foster dog – Mama Maisie, a French Bulldog mix fostered in Saugus, was reported stolen during a Wednesday hike and found dead in a nearby pond the following day, as a rescue organization offers a $10,000 reward and says the dog may have been targeted for her breed.
A foster dog taken during a hike in Saugus on Wednesday was found dead in a nearby pond Thursday evening, leaving the rescue organization caring for her pleading for answers and offering a $10,000 reward.
Mama Maisie, a French Bulldog mix living with a foster family in Saugus, was found floating in Hawkes Pond around 8 p.m., New York City Second Chance Rescue announced in a statement. The rescue said the timeline was fueled by more than 24 hours of searching after she was reported missing.
The rescue described how the dog was taken. It said witnesses reported that an identified man approached Mama Maisie and her foster caretaker during a hike Wednesday. picked up the dog. and ran away with her. For more than a day. law enforcement officers. rescue volunteers. local residents. and thousands of supporters who followed the case online searched in the area.
In a message posted after the discovery. New York City Second Chance Rescue Founder and President Jennifer Brooks said. “Mama Maisie deserved the chance to live the happy life she had finally found.” She added that what happened to the dog “has devastated everyone who knew her and the thousands of people who followed her story. ” urging anyone who may have seen anything “no matter how small it may seem” to come forward.
The rescue released details of what it said witnesses saw and also posted that Mama Maisie “walked right up to the man who would ultimately. cost her her life.” In an Instagram post Friday. the organization wrote that after “everything humans had already done to her. ” Maisie still believed people were friends.
The case now hinges on whether investigators can match the discovery to the reported abduction. The rescue said a necropsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. It also released a sketch of a person of interest and is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to answers.
Beyond the search and the investigation, the rescue said Mama Maisie’s story began with deep medical loss. She was surrendered after being discarded by a backyard breeder while suffering from severe complications. including deceased puppies still inside her body. The rescue said she developed sepsis, and doctors recommended euthanasia. “But we said let’s try. Let’s fight for Maisie. She fought right alongside with us,” the organization said, adding that “Against all odds, she survived.”.
Before arriving in her Saugus foster home. Mama Maisie spent two months living with a pack of dogs in New Hampshire. the rescue said. It also told followers on social media that she may have been targeted because of her breed. The organization wrote that the dog was targeted “not once. but twice. ” saying the first time she survived and “the second time. she just didn’t stand a chance.”.
As the investigation remains ongoing. the Saugus Police Department did not respond to requests for comment or provide a police report Sunday night. In a statement shared after her death was reported. the rescue said it was taking time “to process this unimaginable loss. speak to law enforcement. and continuing our rescue work behind the scenes. ” because “the animals in our care still need us.” It also promised a continued push for accountability. saying. “But tomorrow?. We start the fight for justice.”.
Mama Maisie Saugus foster dog stolen Hawkes Pond New York City Second Chance Rescue $10 000 reward person of interest sketch necropsy
So sad… why would someone steal a dog like that?
They say French bulldog mix like that makes her a target?? I saw a different story somewhere that it was just random. Either way dude needs to be found, I don’t get it.
How do they know she “walked right up to the man” unless the man was like right there on camera or something? Not trying to be rude, just seems off. If she was fostered, couldn’t the rescue have moved her sooner?
Wait… they found her in a pond the next day and the guy just grabbed her and ran? Idk if the rescue is telling it right. Also 10k reward doesn’t fix anything, people been stealing dogs forever. Saugus hike… that pond feels like a trap spot or something. I hope they catch whoever did it, but I’m not convinced it was “targeted for her breed” either like the dog just got unlucky.