Louisiana’s Most Famous Stray Dog, Scrim, at Center of Heartbreaking Adoption Controversy

For nearly a year, Scrim, New Orleans' most famous stray, managed to evade capture, living off the streets and quickly locking his place as an instant urban legend. But now, after his long-awaited recent rescue, Scrim is once again at the heart of a dramatic standoff—only this time, it's not between him and animal control. It's between two women who both want to call him their own.

A "Tail" of Dedication

This doggy saga began when Scrim was captured a few days ago, (Feb. 11), after months of avoiding traps and efforts from a dedicated group of rescuers.

Among those working day and night to bring Scrim to safety was Tammy Murray, a devoted animal advocate who had spent nearly a year tracking him, setting feeding stations, and leading the charge to make sure he found a safe home.

When Scrim was finally caught, it seemed Murray’s patience and dedication had paid off. She submitted an adoption application through Zeus’ Rescues, and it was approved. Scrim would be hers.

Or so she thought.

On Tuesday (Feb. 18), Michelle Cheramie, founder of Zeus’ Rescues and the woman who had housed Scrim during his post-capture decompression, made a stunning announcement on Facebook: She had decided to keep Scrim for herself.

“I had a change of heart,” Cheramie wrote, explaining that Scrim had integrated seamlessly into her home, bonding with her dog, Scooby, and even gaining acceptance from her cats. “I changed my mind. I wanted him to be my dog.”

Her decision, however, did not come without consequences.

"No Words"—The Drama

For Murray, the news was devastating.

“No words. Devastated and really speechless,” Murray wrote in a Facebook post. “10+ months of my life dedicated to bringing him home to safety. Even made it official and filled out an application and got approved only to be here… not my dog.”

Others who had followed the Scrim saga from the beginning echoed her heartbreak. Many supporters took to social media to voice their frustration, arguing that Murray, who had invested months of sleepless nights and endless efforts, should have been allowed to take Scrim home as originally planned.

Even Cheramie acknowledged the pain her decision had caused.

“I know she and Freba [another prospective adopter] love him with all their hearts. I thank them and the team immensely,” she wrote, adding, “Right now, there is a lot of hurt and pain.”

A Famous Dog Caught in the Middle

Scrim’s life has been anything but ordinary. First rescued from a Houma trailer park in 2023, he was set for adoption but quickly escaped, becoming a fugitive on the streets of New Orleans. His resilience and street smarts turned him into a local legend, with his daring escapades making headlines in major media outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Now, safely in Cheramie’s care, Scrim may finally have a permanent home—but at what cost?

Murray and Cheramie have not publicly addressed each other since the fallout over the famous pup, leaving the question of whether time will heal the wounds of this adoption battle. Meanwhile, Scrim, oblivious to the drama surrounding him, continues to (hopefully?) settle into domestic life—this time, hopefully for good.

One thing is certain: Whether on the streets or in a home, we all get the feeling that Scrim’s story is far from over.