06/07/2026
Newburyport peeps - keep an eye out for this pup! Last seen between Low and High St. ‼️DO NOT CALL OR CHASE ‼️ Call the number listed with sightings 📞
6/23/26 The moment all of Newburyport has been waiting a little over 2 weeks for...............
Update from Animal Control Officer Megan S who also has been a volunteer with MDM since we started:
Oh, Maye... we are so incredibly grateful that you are finally safe. ❤️
How things went down today.........
After far too many WEEKS on the run, Maye never truly settled in one area. We spent countless hours trying to figure out her routine, but the truth is, there wasn't one.
Our team tracked sightings throughout the day, placed cameras and feeding stations, and quietly observed Maye from a distance. There simply wasn't any rhyme or reason to her movements. We also spent many late nights searching, with little success beyond learning just how incredibly stealthy and intelligent she truly is.
As the weeks went on, we were facing a time crunch. Two of our team members were scheduled to travel, two others lived quite a distance away, and Phil with On Mission Drone was about to become unavailable. A deadline is never ideal when you're working with a dog in survival mode.
Then, this morning the planets aligned..........
Dan, Nancy, and their wonderful pup, Max, spotted Maye and made the decision to quietly watch her from a distance. By pure coincidence, Phil happened to be nearby conducting a grid search. He noticed them pointing and stopped to ask what they had seen.
There she was.
Maye was sound asleep just five feet off the side of a busy road, tucked behind bushes in a window well. Had they not been there, we never would have known she was hiding there.
The A-team came together and quickly developed a plan.
Normally, we do not attempt a hands-on capture of a dog in flight mode—especially one near a busy road that hasn't established their safe area. But this situation was unique. Maye had only two possible escape routes, and both could safely be blocked.
We assembled large nets, a catch pole, leashes, and a crate. We established clear plans for capture, containment, transportation, and traffic control. Then, everyone calmly and methodically executed their role.
The result?
Maye is safe.
I cannot say enough that a capture like this is not typically recommended. But when you have a team of calm, experienced people who are willing to listen, plan, communicate, and work together, incredible things can happen.
Thank you to this amazing community for rallying around Brett and Maye. This would not have been possible without everyone keeping their eyes open, reporting sightings, and—most importantly—not chasing or engaging with her.
To Dan, Nancy, and Max—thank you for taking the time to quietly observe instead of intervening, and for jumping in to help when it mattered most. And Max... thank you for showing us all your tricks and happily taking care of all the cookies!
To local dog trainers Colby and Robin—thank you for always being just a phone call away, helping set cameras, spending hours on observations, and being ready at a moment's notice to assist with containment. Your knowledge and experience are an incredible asset to this community.
To Newburyport/West Newbury ACO Kayla—thank you for everything, from fielding calls at all hours, setting feeding stations, assisting with the capture, and transporting Maye to the veterinarian. You are an absolute rockstar.
To Kristin, Director with MDM—thank you for your steady guidance, your willingness to help at any hour, and for hauling heavy traps without hesitation.
And to Phil—our drone guy. You spent countless hours in the air searching for Maye, but today you became the man of the moment. Because you're usually behind the drone controller, you rarely get the opportunity to be hands-on. Today, we knew you were the right person for the job, and you absolutely delivered. Quite simply, this would not have been possible without you.
There are so many others who deserve our gratitude as well— Newburyport Police Department, West Newbury Police Department, the West Newbury Water Department, Mayor Reardon, Byron Lane,and every single person who kept Brett hopeful and supported him throughout this incredibly difficult journey.
It truly took a village.
Welcome home, Maye. ❤️
With all the Thanks,
Megan Sousa
Supervisor-Ipswich Regional Animal Control
Missing Dogs Massachusetts Volunteer
Missing Dog! Maye Female Rottweiler - , MA 06/06/26.
Missing from the area of High St./Toppans Ln.
Maye is 2 years / 80 pounds and is Black and Tan in color.
SCARED! Do not call out to, chase or try to catch!
PLEASE do not share sightings or information to social media, instead share this post to help bring them home.
If seen or if you have any information, please call 617-791-1133.
