If you could get the man to put food out to the dogs so they will keep coming back to his house, then maybe he would let you wait in his yard a few times a week to see if sable shows up. Or perhaps the spca would let you borrow a trap from them if you said you would set it up yourself?
Don't give up! I always remember the story of the golden retriever who was running loose for 2 years! No one could catch him, but after 2 years, he was finally caught and reunited with his family! You can read his story
here, I hope it will give you hope!!!!
