In a bizarre twist of events that feels more like the plot of a family movie than real life, a family in Lima, Peru, experienced the shock of their lives when their beloved puppy turned out to be not a dog, but a wild fox.
A Surprising Purchase
The Sotelo family’s story begins innocently enough, with a young man wanting to buy a pet. He traveled to the center of the bustling capital city of Lima to find a canine companion. Little did he know, the animal he brought home, affectionately named Run Run, would soon reveal a wild side far from that of a domesticated pooch.
Maribel Sotelo, the mother of the owner, shared with RPP News that her son found the “puppy” injured and didn’t hesitate to nurse it back to health. “He looked like a dog when he was little, but as he grew, something about him seemed off,” she explained. Run Run cost just a little over 12 euros, a small price that would lead to big surprises.
The Chase Begins
As Run Run grew, his behavior started to stir concerns. Unlike a typical dog whose worst habits might include chewing shoes or digging up the garden, Run Run began hunting the neighborhood’s chickens and ducks. This predatory behavior was a red flag that perhaps he wasn’t a dog at all.
The turning point came when, according to Maribel, “At first, he played with other dogs. But two weeks ago, he started chasing ducks.” That was when the family realized their pet dog was actually a fox. This revelation was shocking but clarified many of Run Run’s less than domestic behaviors.
Seeking Professional Help
The situation escalated when the neighbors, tired of their livestock being hunted, demanded compensation. The fox’s hunting habits had become costly, and the Sotelos reached out to local authorities for help. “They need to return him to his natural habitat because he’s not the same. He doesn’t attack but preys on other animals, like dogs and cats,” the owner lamented about the financial and emotional strain Run Run was causing.
Currently, members from the local forestry service are involved, attempting to safely capture Run Run and return him to the wild, where he belongs. As of the latest updates, the fox remains at large in the area.
A Cautionary Tale
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of acquiring pets from reputable sources. While adopting an animal is a noble act, ensuring that the pet is what it seems comes first and foremost to prevent such startling surprises. The Lima fox saga is far from ordinary, making it not only a cautionary tale but also a compelling story of an accidental wild pet adoption.
