Salem Man Offers $500 Reward for Return of Lost Dog, Rider

A coordinated search effort to find Rider has brought together many concerned citizens.

Rider is a 7 year old neutered male Border Collie/ Australian Shepherd mix. He is about 55 pounds, mostly black with white and brown markings.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On June 18, 2016 David Dixon of Salem experienced every dog owner’s worst nightmare. David and his constant companion, Rider, were visiting at a friend’s home in Salem. David and his friends decided to go out and, as is customary, Rider was left at the home. You see, Rider is David’s best friend. He is part of the family.

Everywhere David goes, Rider goes and so he is welcome at all friends and family’s homes the same as any person would be. Unfortunately, on this particular day there was a thunderstorm. Rider panicked and when the friends returned to the home they discovered a busted-out board and no Rider.

For the past month friends, family and even strangers have launched a coordinated search effort to find Rider and get him home.

They have printed and dispersed thousands of flyers, have listed him missing with: Marion County Dog Control, Willamette Humane Society and Lost & Found Pets of Salem Facebook page.

They have also created a Facebook Page dedicated to the search with nearly 1,500 members, “Please Help Find Rider”.

David adopted Rider as a 3-month old puppy when he was volunteering at Willamette Humane Society. He explained to me how he took advantage of all of the training classes WHS offers and did everything he could to be the best dog owner possible.

He says Rider is used to going everywhere with him and that he is part of the family. I cannot imagine how agonizing it must be to spend over a month not knowing where a member of your family is.

Rider is a 7-year old neutered male Border Collie/ Australian Shepherd mix. He is about 55 pounds, mostly black with white and brown markings (see photo). He is micro-chipped but was not wearing a collar at the time of his disappearance.

He is described by David as, “Very well trained, friendly, just the best dog.” He also says, “This is affecting a lot of people. Everyone loves him. He isn’t just an outside dog.”

He was last seen at the intersection of Liberty Rd., S and Salem Heights Rd., S.

There have been two sightings of a dog matching Rider’s description outside of Fred Meyer on South Commercial St. in Salem. The dog was with a man who appears to be transient and was panhandling outside of the store.

David is desperate to get his best friend back and is offering a NO QUESTIONS ASKED $500.00 REWARD for the return of his dog. If you have any information about Rider’s location, or believe you may have found him you may contact David Dixon at: Telephone: 503-999-3196, or E-mail: Daviddixon1@gmail.com

Also, you can take a found dog or cat into any animal shelter or veterinary clinic to be scanned for a micro-chip free of charge and I strongly encourage this to be the first step whenever an animal is found.

Call: 503-999-3196, or E-mail: Daviddixon1@gmail.com