Scrim, former fugitive dog, visits New Orleans City Council | Entertainment/Life

Zoning, code enforcement, permitting and other prosaic municipal matters could wait. The first order of business at Thursday’s City Council meeting was to acknowledge the civic contributions of a runaway dog named Scrim, who became a furry New Orleans folk hero.

As Council Vice President JP Morrell put it, Scrim “helped exemplify the resilience that is New Orleans.”

Months ago, Michelle Cheramie, the owner of Zeus’ Rescues pet adoption service, had liberated the scruffy terrier mix from a North Shore dog pound where it was threatened with euthanasia. After rehabilitation and acclimation, Scrim was adopted by a Mid-City family.

But Scrim wasn’t ready to settle down. The mutt immediately escaped into the mean streets of Mid-City, evading baited cages, nets, tranquilizing darts, gunshots and platoons of well-meaning pursuers for 177 days. Finally, Cheramie and her posse tracked him down and returned Scrim from his harsh life on the streets, to the safety and comfort of domesticity.

After his capture, a veterinarian discovered that Scrim had two bullets in his 17-pound body.

Cradled in Cheramie’s arms for his appearance at the City Council meeting, Scrim wore a dignified black and white plaid bowtie that nestled on his neck beside his rather bulky satellite tracking collar. His fur had grown out slightly since he was shaved after his Oct. 23 capture, but it had not returned to his formerly curly, feral coat.

Scrim remained silent during the ceremony, exhibiting what – based on a viewing of a video of the Nov. 7 meeting – might be described as tentative relaxation blended with simmering furtiveness.

Members of the City Council took turns showering the dog, and Cheramie, with accolades and anecdotes.

Council Member Oliver Thomas called the dog a “new idol and new hero.”

Lesli Harris laughingly said that “this is like one of my most exciting council days ever,” before she laid claim to Scrim as “the official mascot of District B.”

District A Council Member Joe Giarrusso, however, immediately contended that Scrim’s territory had extended into his jurisdiction as well.

In the end, Morrell presented Cheramie and Scrim’s other pursuers/protectors with a framed proclamation and a sack of dog goodies. City Council members then lined up for photos with the former fugitive.