Search Continues for Digger the Dog; Palatine Boarding Facility Adopts New Safety Measures

Photo credit: Todd Caponi Twitter page

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The search continues this week for Digger the dog, a local pup who went missing from a Palatine boarding facility while his family was visiting Disneyland.

Thursday marks the fifteenth day that the German shepherd-Beagle mix has been missing. Todd Caponi of Palatine said his family received reports of sightings of Digger on Tuesday, both in Palatine, which made him think their dog was getting closer to home, according to a Twitter update on Caponi’s feed.

Meanwhile, Baxter and Beasley, the boarding facility where Digger went missing from, released a statement this past week regarding measures the business has in place to ensure the safety of its pets. This is the first time a dog has gone missing from the facility, according to the statement.

“We have been in business almost 4 years, taking care of an average of 60 dogs a day-every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. That adds up to almost 87,600 dog days without incident,” according to the statement.

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How Digger went missing is a matter of speculation.

Jennifer Riordan, one of the operating partners of Baxter & Beasley in Palatine, told the Daily Herald she suspects Digger scaled an eight-foot fence when he escaped. Caponi thinks a latch was left open on garbage pickup day and Digger took off.

“We have a 4-foot fence at home and (Digger’s) never even put his paws on it or climbed on the couch. That’s not him,” Caponi told the Daily Herald.

Baxter & Beasley contends the eight-foot fence has an installed lock on it from the Palatine Fire Department. And there is no key for the fence at Baxter & Beasley.

“Why is this important? The permanent lock makes it impossible for a pooch to slip out should someone open the gate,” according to the Baxter & Beasley statement.

The boarding facility is now taking extra security measures following the Aug. 5 incident. Baxter & Beasley is planning to install cameras on the outside of its facility, has recently reviewed its protocol for entry and exit of every part of the facility and is planning to ask extra questions of pet owners during its intake process, including questions regarding dogs that are “high jumpers,” according to the statement.

The Daily Herald reports that anyone who spots Digger can contact Caponi at (847) 567-4550.

• >>> RELATED: Palatine Family Continues Search for Missing Dog