‘Buckethead’ Dog Finally Rescued After Days On The Run

When Gateway Pet Guardians received reports of a dog with a bucket stuck on his head they didn’t know it would become one of the “wildest” rescues in their history. The animal rescue, based in East Saint Louis, Illinois, was told that the dog had the bucket on his head for at least the last four days.

“It took us a few days to find him, and then once he was located, he kept running away, evading capture,” the group posted on Facebook. “Poor thing was understandably terrified of the situation!”

They continued, “Yesterday afternoon, we sent a team of staff out, including one of our veterinarians armed with a dart-shooting apparatus with a mild tranquilizer. We weren’t going ‘home’ without him!”

They began searching the area where the dog was last seen, and after nearly 45 minutes, they finally spotted him. They ultimately had to resort to tranquilizing him. “Dr. Kelsey was able to successfully tranquilize him, making it easier for us to safely contain him,” the group wrote. They shared a video of the moment they were finally able to catch him.

“Of course we had to name him Buckethead,” Gateway Pet Guardians said. Incidentally, the bucket was an empty cheese balls container. Buckethead is now safe and recovering at their shelter. They shared, ” Once the tranq wore off, and he realized the bucket was gone and there was fresh food and water available, he was a much happier boy.”

Fellow animal rescue organization Stray Rescue of St. Louis commented, “We’re sooo happy you got him, can’t wait to see pictures of his face!”

Gateway Pet Guardians obliged and Kim Kage shared a photo of Buckethead safely in a car, writing, “he is ADORABLE!”

Gateway Pet Guardians is now looking for a foster to look after him and welcome anyone interested to stop by their shelter to meet him.