Runaway Chihuahua named Bean is saved in dramatic caught-on-video rescue on NYC highway
A runaway Chihuahua named Bean made a run for it on the Staten Island Expressway before he was nabbed by motorists in a dramatic caught-on-video rescue.
The pixie pooch is first seen on dashcam footage posted on TikTok scrambling down the highway as cars whiz past him late Tuesday night, while several concerned motorists slow down and futilely try to corral the elusive pup.
Several drivers initially attempt to divert Bean to the Clove Road exit to no avail, then eventually catch up with the frisky runaway and pull him inside one of the vehicles.
“When I saw that dog, my instincts just kicked in, and the only thing on my mind was to make sure that dog got to safety,” said Arden Heights resident Katie Marie, whose dashcam captured the heart-pounding rescue, to the Staten Island Advance in a report published Saturday.
“We just kept trying to keep the dog in the HOV lane, trying to tire him out,” Marie said. “When I looked up, I saw over 20 cars that were all helping, which was extremely wholesome to to see how Staten Islanders come together as a community on a busy highway to help one dog with an aimless destination.”
The good Samaritan said she was heading to Euro Pizza after leaving work when she spotted Bean on the busy roadway — and jumped into action and began tailing him along with other drivers.
The hounding motorists are seen trying to corner the dog, but he scampers away and keeps scooting down the roadway.
As several cars run interference, a motorist finally gives chase on foot, eventually catching the frightened dog, who ducked under one of the vehicles before he was plucked to safety.
Kaitlyn McGinley of Rossville, a nurse at Staten Island Hospital, was the one who scooped up Bean and reunited the pup with his family — thanks to a post on the Staten Island neighbors’ Facebook page.
The timid Chihuahua reportedly ran off after getting spooked by a barking pit bull.
“He is home and safe, and that’s all that matters,” said Bean’s owner, Tee Richardson.
