Rumors of Mastiffs demise greatly exaggerated<br />By Dawn Witlin<br />Thursday, August 25, 2005 <br /><br />Basson Draco, the 140-pound South African Mastiff missing and presumed dead since the cops shot him two weeks ago, limped out of the woods yesterday, looking rough but doggedly hanging tough after his brush with the law. <br /> <br /> The cagey canine had eluded a determined police dragnet, but was finally spotted in the woods behind a Stop 'n Shop in Sandwich Tuesday evening. <br /> <br /> Animal Control Officer Tim Houlihan said a tipster pointed out the hardy hound to police, who along with Houlihan and Draco's owner, Barbara Shaner, lured him into a cruiser and transported him to Roberts Animal Hospital in Hanover for treatment. <br /> <br /> In this case the citizens prevailed because they were the ones that notified us. Every single lead had been accurate. They really helped out,'' Houlihan said. <br /> <br /> Draco suffered multiple bullet wounds and a broken paw joint when he clashed with the cops Aug. 7. After he busted through a fence and bolted into the woods, they searched for him with thermal-imaging devices, but Draco successfully lay doggo. Since then, he's lost between 30 and 40 pounds, said Houlihan. Veterinarians declined to comment on Draco's condition. <br /> <br /> It's kind of a happy ending, because there is closure, and we didn't have to use any additional excessive force,'' Houlihan said. The fact that the animal didn't get hurt during the capture and that he's alive is amazing.'' <br /> <br /> Town administrators could not be reached for comment. Draco had been attacking Shaner and her daughter when police got involved. It remains unclear what fate holds for Draco, but Shaner has said the family wants to keep their overgrown, toothsome pup. <br /> <br /> Houlihan said, It's too early to comment if the public wants this animal back in the community.''
