Southern California

German Shepherd Heads to New Home After Great Escape From Shelter

A German Shepherd named Ginger, who was caught on camera breaking out of a shelter last week, will make a more permanent escape Friday as she heads to her new home.

The Apple Valley Animal Shelter received dozens of inquiries about Ginger, along with four applications to adopt her. They said they decided who would adopt the dog based on the most qualified and fitting applicant.

Surveillance video captured Ginger's great escape from the shelter in the San Bernardino County community of Apple Valley last week.

Initially, the shelter thought they had an intruder on their hands after alarms were set off one weekend inside the building. They found items scattered around the front desk, and things pulled off the front counter, but found no sign of anyone in the building.

But the first clue came on Sept. 18, when a staff member noticed a dog missing from her adoption kennel near the back of the shelter.

It wasn't a case of an intruder -- they had a furry fugitive on their hands.

The missing dog was reported to the shelter last Monday, about the time that staff members reviewed security camera video that morning. The video showed Ginger the resourceful German shepherd as she opened doors and hopped on a counter to have a look around, explaining the untidy front desk.

Ginger needed to open three doors between her kennel area and the front parking lot to make her great escape, according to staff. She can be seen on her hind legs in the front lobby, unlatching the last barrier to the parking lot and the wonders of Southern California's Victor Valley.

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Ginger was found safe about three miles from the shelter, and was returned to her kennel.

The shelter said she will head home with her new owner on Friday.

Hetty Chang contributed to this report.

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