Calgary family searching for lost dog after utility worker left gate open

A Calgary family is looking for their dog after a utility worker allegedly let her out when performing a meter read in their backyard.

“Bring Bean home” — that’s the plea from a family desperately searching for their missing seven-year-old Papillion Aussie Shepherd-cross who disappeared ten days ago.

The couple claims Bean vanished after an Enmax employee allegedly left the backyard gate open at their northeast Calgary home in the community of Abbeydale.

Joe Jesseau says on the morning of Jan. 30, his partner let their dog out the same day the employee came to take their meter reading.

“He checked on the meter and came around and knocked on the window to get Brianna’s attention,” says Jesseau. “And that is where he told Brianna, hey sorry I let your dog out.”

“And he just carried on with his businesses to go to the next house.”

In a statement to CityNews, Enmax says they are very saddened to hear the “dog is still missing and send our sincerest apologies to the family and hope for the safe return their pet.”

“In this case the dog ran out of the yard when the meter reader opened the gate, and he immediately informed the owner. They then found her in the alleyway and the meter reader returned to his route because the dog appeared nervous with his presence.”

Jesseau says he’s put up over 200 hundred flyers around Calgary, from bus stops to street poles to cars.

“I have to keep going, I can’t stop, until she is found… deceased or at a home,” he says. “I can’t stop and I won’t stop.”

The family believes Bean may still be out there and suspects she may have been stolen.

“I think somebody out there has her,” says Jesseau. “Whether it is an intentional keep, or someone who doesn’t know the difference, who doesn’t have social media.”

“I really believe she is alive and somewhere.”

The couple say they have filed a formal complaint with Enmax regarding the incident, but have yet to receive a response. They are urging the public to contact 311 or animal services if they come across the missing dog.