07/23/2026
Last night, shortly after Midnight, Platte City Boxer, Gus was safely trapped after 19 days on the run.
Gus became spooked from the fireworks on July 2nd, bolted out the back door and over his fenced yard to escape the scary sounds. He immediately went into "flight mode", crossed 435 highway and dipped into a heavily wooded area, The next morning he was seen a couple times running down 136th street and quickly hiding in the tall crops in the fields. His family had eyes on him but they were unable to recall him.
5 days went by without any sightings. Gus's family invested in a thermal drone operator in hopes that we could find him. We arrived onsite once dark and Brad (Drone Operator) was able to find Gus hiding deep in the woods very close to 435 highway. Brad led us to the exact location so that we could park on the highway and attempt to push him back into the field to get him safely trapped. Unfortunately, there was a fence along the highway that prevented us from entering via the highway side. We drove back to Nevada street where Brad was able to guide us through a soybean field in the exact trajectory that Gus was expected to pop out. We dropped trap, baited and then worked to push Gus off the highway by parking on the shoulder and honking our horn. as an effor tto push Gus back towards the trap. We saw Gus several times that eveninng but once he was in a place were we could trap him he would not stop running. We created multiple feeding stations and called it a night.
Overnight, Gus did not find our feeding stations. We had last seen Gus heading towards KCI airport. After providing my driver's licenses, signing my life away and promising I would stay 4 feet from the landing fields, KCI Operations/Security granted us access to look for Gus in their pastures and fields. Interesting fact,- KCI airport owns all the land around the airport at least 5 miles in each direction and leases it out to farmers.
Gus's Mom caught a glimpse of Gus laying down under a tree next to the SWA landing strip. There was no way to get a trap near him due to the barb wire fencing. I coached her through how to lure him to her, in hopes we could get him close enough to slip lead him on the other side of the fence. Each attempt, Gus would run-away in-flight mode.
Over the course of the next couple days, we saw Gus several times from a distance hiding in the KCI fields, however they have high barb wire fencing around them making it impossible for us to get a trap over. After additional conversations with airport security, they agreed to unlock a few gates and give us access to trap. Whew!! We had several feeding stations and cameras, but Gus NEVER found any of our food or circled back to the same location, which is pretty unusual. He just kept running and expanding his distance.
5 more days went by, and Gus showed up on camera in a field off Nevada. He was finally out of the fenced fields, which would make it much easier for us to trap. Our excitement quickly dissapated, as he vanished for 5 more days without sightings or returning to the camera location.
Around 5pm last night we finally got a sighting. He was seen in a field near KCI and 29 highway. We rushed to the location, and Trapper Nicole was able to quickly get eyes on him hiding in a soybean field. We carried a very heavy trap, far into the field, very quietly, baited it, set up cameras in hopes he would enter the trap. Gus ran back deeper into the field and did not return. Around 9pm we bungeed up the trap for the night in hopes that he would find the food and return and we could set the trap live the next day. Keep in mind, at this point he had yet to circle back or return to any feeding station or find food. Typically, once they find food they return.
Around 10pm last night, Gus's family called to report that he was seen again in the road next to the same field he was in at 5pm. We headed back out while Gus's Dad also headed back out and was able to keep eyes on him in the field. We quickly dropped trap down the embankment that leads to the field, Baited, chummed and I placed his bedding next to his trap. We quietly left so that he would not feel pressured and find the trap. While I was getting my Quick Trip Coke Zero (my good luck drink), Gus smelled the yummy hot chicken. His nose led him to the trap, He found his bedding, sniffed and knew that this is where he was supposed to be. A few moments later he was safe in our trap.
Gus must have thought we needed a good work-out because he had us trekking through fields and weeds up to our waist, with heavy gear for 19 days. Rural trapping is not for the weak. We likely have more chiggar bites and posion ivy than Gus has ticks. lol
Gus was a true example of how an animal behaves in flight mode. His family knew from day 1 that he wasn't the same playful family dog that would run to them. He was unable to be recalled and became fearful of everything, including them.
Gus's family trusted the trapping process. They followed instructions perfectly. They diligently put up oodles of signs with a sense of urgency. They worked incredibly close with us, often communicating 10+ times a day. They were incredibly invested in saving Gus and getting him home safe.
We would like to thank Brad, from Rural Recon Drone Services LLC for his exceptional ability to find Gus and lead us to him, not once but twice. Brad's dedication, professionalism and communication skills were amazing.
We would also like to thank KCI FAA, KCI Operations Security, and KCI airport police for allowing us access to restricted areas and graciously unlocking gates to help us set up proper feeding stations. Your hospitality was very appreciated.
Most importantly, we want to thank Gus's Mom and Dad for their dedication and teamwork. They trusted the trapping process and never gave up, even when there were long stretches between sightings.
Lastly, we wish Gus the best. He has two precious little girls that missed him dearly and asked us several times when we were going to bring Gus home. We can only imagine how happy they were to wake up and learn Gus was finally home safe. Gus is so loved!
Welcome Home Gus!
