Dog rescued after weeks of wandering N.J. highways

Sept. 13 (UPI) -- A New Jersey animal shelter said a Jack Russell terrier spotted running loose for weeks along highways near Newark Liberty International Airport is now safe and has a new name: Monkey.

The dog, believed to be under a year old, was spotted on multiple occasions over the course of several weeks and evaded previous capture attempts.

The canine was eventually caught in a trap by Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery, which gave the terrier the name Monkey.

Monkey was taken to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge on a stray hold, but officials said they believe he was likely abandoned intentionally.

"Surprisingly, Monkey is not the first Jack Russell terrier dumped in the area in recent months. And, even more unexpectedly, it only took minutes for this adorable dog to warm up to human touch, despite evading rescuers for so long," the shelter said on social media.

Officials said Monkey is doing well in rehabilitation and will eventually be placed in a new permanent home.