ATHENS, Ohio — Wilson, the so-called “Taco Bell” dog, is East State Street’s best customer right now. Although he loves the food there, he would be better off with a real home.
Athens County Dog Warden Ryan Gillette explained that Wilson and another dog were abandoned in the Canaanville area. The other dog almost immediately let the shelter take him, and he’s since found a home — but Wilson has shied away from any humans and made his way to Athens.
“I think it’s been two months we’ve been trying to wrangle this one up,” Gillette said.
The stray has been living near the Taco Bell and evading capture for about two months. He’s not dangerous, just very skittish, Gillette said.
“Under no circumstances have we seen any kind of aggression or any kind of an issue there, where we feel like anyone’s in danger,” Gillette said.
Workers from the Athens County Dog Shelter have set up a live trap, which they’ve moved around the area several times. Gillette said they’ve caught a lot of raccoons and possums, but no Wilson yet.
The dog shelter and Friendly Paws Pet Supplies & Grooming, also located on East State Street, have made social media posts urging people not to attempt to catch or feed Wilson.
“He needs to be hungry enough to go into that trap,” said Shelley Lieberman, owner of Friendly Paws.
Lieberman is working on getting signage to remind people not to feed Wilson. Performance Signs has already donated one.
Shelter workers are concerned about Wilson being run over while crossing the road, Gillette said. They’re also worried about him getting fleas, ticks and Lyme disease.
Heather Norman is one of at least four dog shelter staff members who goes to befriend Wilson every morning. She’s been visiting him since March.
Norman said Wilson normally hides in the shade during the day, which is why the morning is the best time for her to see him. Gillette said Norman would likely be the person to catch him, if the trap doesn’t work.
“Heather is usually very, very good about these long-term project things, and she’s very good with animals,” Gillette said.
The people at the shelter want to make sure he’s safe and find him a happy home.
Renae Hefty is a junior at Ohio University. Hefty is a summer 2025 intern at Athens County Independent, with support from the Nonprofit Newsroom Internship Program created by the Scripps Howard Fund and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
