Over 100 apply to take in stray dog rescued from ledge

TOKUSHIMA (Kyodo) A female dog rescued in November from a ledge 70 meters up a huge concrete retaining wall has become a star with dog-lovers nationwide, with a growing number of inquiries coming in from people who want to become her owner.

A female dog rescued last fall from a ledge 70 meters up a concrete wall is fed in her cage at a local animal shelter in December. KYODO PHOTO

The dog, thought to be about 8 months old, has been steadily recovering since the Nov. 22 rescue in the city of Tokushima, officials at a local animal shelter said.

After spending at least six days without food on the ledge, the dog finally made a "leap of faith" into a net prepared by firefighters. The rescue was televised nationwide.

According to the shelter, more than 100 inquiries have been made so far by people who want to take in the dog. It is not known whether she had an owner.

The center plans to screen the applicants later this month to determine whether they have the proper environment for raising a dog. When she was rescued, the dog was so exhausted she was unable to eat and was fearful of humans, the officials said. Now she can be fed by hand.

The dog has been vaccinated and is ready to live in a home. She has been taken for walks outside since Thursday.

Despite the happy outcome for this dog, Yasunori Yamashita, the head of the animal shelter, appealed to potential owners to think carefully before deciding to keep -- or get rid of -- a pet.

"In 2005, some 4,500 dogs were destroyed in Tokushima Prefecture alone," he said. "At a park near the rescue site, we still find abandoned dogs."