There is a dog roaming Elon University's campus, but she is not a stray. About two months ago, junior Aly Yarwood just got her dog Khaleesi. Yarwood enjoyed playing with Khaleesi and cuddling with her. However, after two weeks of owning her, Khaleesi ran away. Khaleesi got off her leash and escaped when Yarwood was not looking. Yarwood spent the next three weeks actively searching for her. Every time Yarwood would approach Khaleesi, she would run away. Yarwood called Alamance County Animal Control but they said the dog was out of their jurisdiction. At one point, Yarwood and her friends surrounded Khaleesi but again Khaleesi quickly retreated.
Since then, Khaleesi nicknamed the "Danieley Dog," has been seen at night near the stadiums, Oaks, Greek courts and, most often, Danieley Center. Many students have been feeding the dog and treating it as a stray, unaware that the "Danieley Dog" is actually a long-lost pet.
"We've tried food we've tried calling the Humane Society but nothing seems to work so far," says Alexa Dipeso, a resident of Danieley Center.
Khaleesi has all of her shots and did not have any health issues before running away. She has been out in the cold for about two months. Danieley residents even said they spotted Khaleesi during the ice storm.
Campus police has gone out to search for the "Danieley Dog." Dennis Franks, director of Campus Safety and Police, did not know who owned the dog and said Yarwood had not reported the missing pet. But campus police have been called more than five times about the dog.
"One of the officers said they got about three feet, the dog let it get about three feet from it and then it took off running again," Franks said. "But we've got animal control has been out helping us try to catch it and we've been in touch with a rescue shelter."
No one has been successful in catching the dog. Khaleesi is extremely skittish and fast. She has yet to let anyone hold her or even pet her. Elon Local News has even tried to rescue the dog. The news team fed her and tried to lure her to the inside of a car. Though ELN Morning show host Matt Lee touched her and fed her by hand, Khaleesi refused to be held or pet. Lee tries to search for Khaleesi every night and continues to feed her. He hopes to one day capture and rescue her. Until then, campus police asks students to treat the dog with respect. Perhaps some kindness and tender care may be enough to save Khaleesi once and for all.
CORRECTION: We first reported Khaleesi's name to be Lacey but it is actually Khaleesi