David Fredman was driving to work in Missouri when something on the side of the road made him turn around. What he found was a dog fighting for breath, and his quick thinking saved its life.
A Dog on the Side of the Road
On Monday, August 5, 2019, Fredman was driving on Interstate 70 in Independence, Missouri, when he saw what looked like a dog hanging over the side of a power box beside an overpass. An electrical cord was wrapped around the animal’s neck.
“The cord was definitely strangling him,” Fredman told Fox 4 KC. He called 911, then grabbed a knife and cut the dog free. The dog struggled to breathe and couldn’t walk at first.
To the Shelter
Fredman took the dog to KC Pet Project, an animal shelter in Kansas City. Staff scanned him and found a microchip, which led them to his owner, Dee Vaughn.
Vaughn said the dog, named Max, had gone missing from the family’s home about a mile away that same morning. He said he got a phone call about two hours later asking whether his dog was missing.
A Reunion
Max was back with his family within hours. The shelter wrote on Facebook that thanks to Fredman and “the power of a microchip,” Max was home safely.
Vaughn invited Fredman to his home that evening after work to thank him in person. “Thank you, David, so much,” he told him.
How Did Max End Up There?
How Max got to the overpass remains unclear. Vaughn said the dog, who has difficulty walking, couldn’t have gotten there on his own in such a short time, and he hoped nearby surveillance cameras might show what happened. Fredman said it looked as though someone could have done it on purpose. The family said it was working to find out how Max was taken. Reports don’t say whether anyone was ever identified.
Lessons From Max’s Story
Max’s rescue highlights how important microchips and quick action can be:
- Microchip your pet. Make sure the chip is registered and your contact details are current.
- Add ID tags and GPS trackers. Compare GPS pet trackers and engraved ID tags.
- Secure your yard. Dog-proof fencing and gate locks reduce the chances of a pet wandering off or being taken.
- Protect against the unexpected. Pet insurance can help cover emergency vet bills after an injury.
- Support shelters. A donation to your local shelter helps animals in need.
What to Do If You Find an Animal in Distress
If you ever see an animal in danger, call 911 or your local animal control first, and stay safe around traffic. Fredman called 911 before he went to help the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Max found? Beside an overpass on Interstate 70 in Independence, Missouri, on August 5, 2019.
Who rescued him? David Fredman, a commuter who stopped, called 911 and cut the cord from the dog’s neck.
How did Max get home? KC Pet Project scanned Max’s microchip, which led to his owner, Dee Vaughn.
Was anyone charged? Reports at the time didn’t say, and the family was still trying to learn how Max ended up there.
Sources: Fox News, KC Pet Project, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, all covering the August 2019 rescue of Max the dog from a power box in Independence, Missouri, with reporting from Fox 4 KC.
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