North Canton community rallies to find Maple the missing dog

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO)—Members of the North Canton community have been working for over a week to find Maple, a missing golden retriever.

Owner Chelsea Szaniszlo told 19 News that it had been 13 days since she got the call from her mother-in-law that 8-month-old Maple had run away.

Maple was last seen in the area of Whitewood Street NW and Cleveland Avenue.

Szaniszlo’s security camera caught the realization by her family member on camera, unfortunately, it did not capture Maple running away.

“It was devastating, devastating, she’s 8 months old, she’s a baby,” Szaniszlo said.

Just minutes earlier, Maple can be seen tied up on the porch on the security footage.

“They had put her out on a lead and something spooked her, and she ripped her collar off and took off,” Szaniszlo said.

With the chilling temperatures, Szaniszlo is trying to stay hopeful, with the support of other North Canton residents through a Facebook group.

Szaniszlo said most of them are total strangers.

The description of the “Operation Save Maple” Facebook group, with over 3,000 members reads:

The group has hosted multiple searches and continues to pass out flyers to hopefully find Maple soon.

“This has changed our view on humanity entirely right 3,000 people are saying ‘Hey where’s Maple? What can we do?’” Szaniszlo said.

Ashley Mcconnell saw the posts on Facebook and went out with her sons to drive around and look for Maple.

“I have made signs, I have had people from the Facebook page reach and send me materials to make signs,” Mcconnell said.

The signs are scattered in businesses across North Canton.

Although there haven’t been any sightings, the thousands of supporters are more motivated than ever.

“She’s not giving up on her dog, she’s doing everything she can to get that dog back, so I think it’s partially us loving our animals, but Chelsea having that heart and being that driving factor behind everything,” Mcconnell said.

If you see Maple or think you know where she is, Szaniszlo asks that you do not approach her but call 330-284-8090.

“If you have her just turn her over, so we can get her home,” Szaniszlo said.

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