Mystery Animal Baffles Experts, Then Stages Daring Escape
A mysterious animal that had wildlife experts in Pennsylvania scratching their heads has now added another twist to its story — by escaping from a wildlife rescue center in dramatic fashion.
The creature, discovered “cold and shivering” by local resident Christina Eyth near her home in Adams County, was initially taken to Wildlife Works, a local shelter. Staff weren’t able to determine its species, debating whether the animal was a dog or a coyote.
But just a week after being rescued, the unidentified animal vanished.
The Great Escape
When wildlife rehabilitator Morgan Barron arrived at the facility one morning, she was stunned to find the cage destroyed and the room in chaos. Scratches lined the walls, and the window frame had been chewed apart. Somehow, the animal had managed to pry open the window, rip through the screen, and disappear into the wild.
“Not in our wildest dreams did we expect something like this,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post.
Photos shared online show the mangled cage door, further evidence of the animal’s determination.
Dog… or Coyote?
During its stay at the rescue, the animal had mostly crouched timidly in its cage, quietly watching staff without ever showing signs of aggression. It received nutritious food, treatment for mange, and care for secondary infections. Staff hoped to learn more once DNA test results came back.
But with the escape, many now lean toward the idea that the animal was a coyote.
One Facebook user commented:
“I would have to think it was a coyote. I cannot imagine a dog doing that type of damage.”
Others echoed the sentiment, pointing out that coyotes are common across Pennsylvania and often display a strong instinct for survival.
A Wild Ending?
Despite the disappointment, the shelter continues to leave food and straw-filled enclosures open, hoping the animal may return. For now, the mystery creature — once thought to be a freezing stray dog — remains at large, leaving behind shredded cages, chewed wood, and an unanswered question:
Was it ever really a dog at all?