Dog Tied To Pole Reaches Out Paw To The Cop Who's Come To Save Him

"[He] gave her his paw, as if to say, ‘Please help get me out of here.’"

Last week, Officer Angela Laurella received a report of two dogs tied to poles on a dead-end street in Pompano, Florida.

With no cameras in the area, it was impossible to know how long the dogs had been there or who'd abandoned them. But with temperatures climbing to 100 degrees outside, Officer Laurella knew there was no time to waste.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Tied To Pole Reaches Out Paw To The Cop Who's Come To Save Him

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Police Officer Stays At Shelter Overnight With Stray He Rescued

Rescuing a stray puppy may not be a police officer‘s job, but some kind-hearted officers don’t do it for the job. Some genuinely want to help the little ones who can’t help themselves. Officer Kareem Garibaldi of the Lakeland Police Department in Florida is one of those wonderful people.

Officer Garibaldi worked an early morning shift one Saturday in May, 2016. As he drove his patrol car, he nearly ran into a small Pit/Boxer mix puppy. The 8 to 10 week old pup had no identification tags or collar and was just running around loose.

To read more on this story, click here: Police Officer Stays At Shelter Overnight With Stray He Rescued



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Should Police Dogs Wear Bullet Proof Vests?

Over the years several police dogs have been shot and have died while pursuing a criminal.

Did you know that more than 500 Police Service Dogs (PSDs) have been killed in the line of duty? A vest increases a 98% chance of survival in an attack.

A police dog put its life in danger every day just as the police officer. The police officer wears a bullet proof vest to protect them…so should his dog also wear a bullet proof vest?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) said that they support the use dogs in law enforcement provided that the animals are humanely raised, trained and afforded every consideration for their safety and well-being, including the use of bullet-proof vests.

There are some police departments that do provide protection to their K9 members with stab and/or slash resistant vests. These vests are used because they are lighter, and do not protect the dog if it is shot.

However, you have to wonder if the weight of a bullet proof vest would be uncomfortable for the dog and possibly flop around as the dog runs.

What do you think? Should police dogs wear bullet proof vests?

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Dog Bites Man, Man Bites Dog, Man Gets Arrested

Boscawen, N.H. (CBS/AP) -- A New Hampshire man has been charged with resisting arrest and biting a police dog. Police said the man unsuccessfully tried to hide under a pile of clothes to evade arrest over the weekend and then put the police dog in a chokehold and bit it on the head.

State police were asked to help deal with a shooting on Sunday in Boscawen, a town of about 4,000 residents. They said two men in a home were wanted on outstanding warrants and both resisted arrest before one exchanged bites with the dog, whose name is Veda.

Police haven't released the men's names. They say the man who bit the dog faces charges including resisting arrest, interfering with a police dog and assaulting an officer.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Bites Man, Man Bites Dog, Man Gets Arrested


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Mother Goose Pecks at Police Officer to Get Help for Her Baby Tangled in Balloon String

A panicked mama goose pecks to get cop’s attention, leads her to baby tangled in balloon string

Police sergeant James Givens is a Cincinnati PD veteran with over 26 years of service on the force, but he has never seen a distress call quite like this one.

At least, James thought it was someone. It was just a regular Monday morning when he was in his car and received an unexpected visit from a mother goose.

The animal wanted to grab the attention of the police officer at all costs.

“It kept pecking and pecking and normally they don’t come near us,” He told to WKRC. “Then it walked away and then it stopped and looked back so I followed it and it led me right over to [a gosling] that was tangled up in all that string.”

When the goose looked behind his back a second time and clearly wanted to communicate with the police officer, he decided to follow her. One of her children was trapped in the rope of a balloon. His little feet were moving, but he wasn’t able to set himself free.

Givens wanted to help the little goose himself but was afraid that mother goose would attack him. Luckily, he had some help from specialist Cecilia Charron.

Even though they called the SPCA Animal Rescue for help, nobody was available to help at the time. That’s why Cecilia decided to help the little animal herself.

Sergeant Givens recorded the entire thing and shared a video of the little goose being freed from the balloon and reunited with the mother, which has quickly gone viral.

Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate also praised Sergeant Givens and Charron for a great job.

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Police K-9 Shot During Traffic Stop

Spotsylvania County, Virginia - An armed suspect who shot a K-9 with the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Sunday evening during a traffic stop is still on the loose, according to officials.

The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office reports, around 9 p.m. the vehicle of a suspect wanted on numerous felony warrants in Fredericksburg was spotted and pulled over in the 2800 block of Lafayette Blvd . The driver of that vehicle was reportedly "taken without incident," but a passenger inside, Joseph Conway, 34, got out and began to fight with a Deputy. Conway then made an attempt to flee the scene on foot, according to the Sheriff's Office. A Spotsylvania Deputy, along with a K-9 named Dux, had just arrived on the scene and officials report Dux was released in an attempt to detain Conway.

According to the Sheriff's Office, after a short pursuit, Conway pulled out a pistol and began to shot at the Deputies and Dux who were pursuing him. Dux was reportedly struck by the gunfire at least once. Officials say the Deputies shot back at the pursuing Conway, but it's unclear at this time if he was injured. None of the Deputies were shot or injured during the pursuit, officials confirm.

ABC7's Suzanne Kennedy reports several vehicles in the area were also struck during the gunfire exchange.

Dux was taken to an emergency Veterinary hospital where he underwent surgery. By Monday afternoon, officials tweeted that Dux was "out of surgery and in recovery."

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A Memorial Service for Canton Police K-9 Jethro, the First of the Department’s Dogs Ever Killed in the Line of Duty, Drew Hundreds from Across the Country

Canton, Ohio - Jethro was shot in killed in the line of duty over the weekend. Police said he was responding to a call of a burglary on Saturday, when he was shot multiple times. He died from his injuries on Sunday. 

The city held a funeral for the German Shepherd Thursday at the Canton Civic Center, on what would have been Jethro's third birthday.

Speakers included the Canton Police chief and the mayor. 

"Jethro's legacy is to remind us all is that bravery and devotion can travel on four legs, and that loyalty and love can be delivered by the playful nudge of a wet nose," Mayor Thomas Bernabei said to those assembled.

K-9 officers from as far away as Virginia and the New York Police Department attended the service. More than 100 K9s from various departments walked in a five and a half minute long procession in front of those gathered.

Jethro's partner, Ryan Davis, was presented with a flag and a fallen officer medal honoring his four legged best friend. At 12:27 pm the department officially declared Jethro's end of watch.

"A lot of people love dogs obviously, and they know the dog is doing it for us and he doesn't really have a choice, so to speak, so I think people really identify with that - that a lot of people have dogs that they believe would do this for them," said Eric Stanbro, the Canton Police K9 head trainer.

Stanbro said to those who may criticize giving a memorial service for a dog, that this was the least the department could do.

"We owe it to them. I believe 100% that without Jethro, today it's Ryan's funeral and not a dog's funeral," said Stanbro.

The suspect, Kelontre D. Barefield, received a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken into custody after being treated. He is being held on $5 million bond.

There is a GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/h8xbvs8s account to pay for Jethro's vet bills and buy new K-9 vests for the department.

"I absolutely think Jethro is a hero. The dog did his job and it's tough to take. And for that  some officers went home safe," said Tim Wilmoth, a canine handler and retired police officer.

The Canton Police Department is not actively seeking donations. However, those that wish to donate can make a check out to the Canton Police Department and write K9 donation on the memo line. Donations and condolences can be sent to the Canton Police Department at 221 3rd St. SW, Canton, OH 44702.

Jethro's Procession

K-9 Jethro is Laid to Rest

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Police Officer Attacked by Owl Causing a Car Accident: Both Survive

Covington, Louisiana - An unsuspecting police officer was in for a hoot on Christmas Eve.

Covington police officer Lance Benjamin was riding alone Thursday with his windows down, patrolling the quiet streets of a Louisiana subdivision, when he felt something hard hit the side of his face.

At first Benjamin thought he was struck by a football, he told WVUE.

“And then I felt some scratching on the back of my head and some pecking,” he said.

An owl had flown into the driver’s side window and started attacking the officer with its wings, talons and beak.

During the mayhem, the officer temporarily lost control of his patrol car and drove it into a ditch, according to the Covington Police Department.

“I tried to keep control of my car, went into a ditch, avoided some trees. Finally was able to stop the car put it in park get out. And there he was, just chilling out in the car,” he said.

Benjamin waited about 45 minutes for the owl to finally fly out of the car and into the darkness.

Chief of Police Tim Lentz, said he woke up to a text message early Christmas morning about an officer crashing a vehicle because of an owl. At first he thought it was a prank.

After reviewing Benjamin’s body camera footage, it was clear the altercation was real.

Fortunately, it’s going to be “owl” right for the officer. Benjamin only suffered minor scratches and was given a tetanus shot and antibiotics after the surreal encounter.

His fellow officers wanted to memorialize the event and presented Benjamin with a plush owl to accompany him during his late night rides.

After Benjamin was treated for his scratches, he finished the rest of his shift. The owl is still at large.

You may be interested in reading: In a Northern Dutch Town,the Residents Are Being Terrorized by an European Eagle Owl

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Washington, DC: MPD Officer Shoots Service Dog Outside of Dog Park in Greenbelt, Maryland

Greenbelt, Maryland - Greenbelt police are investigating the shooting of a service dog by an off-duty Metropolitan Police Department officer outside the Greenbelt Dog Park on December 13.

The service dog, a Pit mix named Cleo, was wounded and is recovering, according to her owner LaToya Plummer of Greenbelt.

Plummer, who is deaf and depends on Cleo to alert her to visitors, is demanding that charges be filed against the unnamed police officer.

According to Greenbelt police, the off-duty MPD sergeant told investigators that Cleo ran towards her and her dog aggressively.

The off-duty officer reported Cleo was "bearing teeth", and the officer said she feared for her safety, according to Greenbelt Police spokesman George Mathews.

The off-duty officer immediately reported the shooting to police.

Plummer said because she is deaf she did not hear the gunshot and wasn't aware how Cleo got injured. At first, she thought Cleo had been in a fight.

Plummer said she did not know the woman was an off-duty police officer and she did not see a gun. Plummer said she left the dog park before police arrived to get Cleo to a veterinarian.

She called police later in the day after learning from the vet that Cleo had been shot.

Plummer said she was at the dog park with Cleo and two other pets and preparing to take her dogs out of the fenced enclosure to her vehicle when the shooting happened.

Plummer disputes the claim that Cleo was aggressive.

"She is the most calm and gentle of my dogs," Plummer said through an interpreter.

Investigators said Cleo was outside the park fence and was unleashed.

The incident happened on Sunday at 6:30 a.m.

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Keeping Your Dog Safe From Law Enforcement: A Police Officer Shares Insight

Keeping your dog safe from law enforcement may sound like a contradictory statement, but recently there have been several tragic stories which involve family dogs being shot by police officers.

Cheryl Goede, not only has firsthand insight as a police officer, but she is also an experienced dog owner, and has been in law enforcement for the past fourteen years.

She collaborated with her husband, Kevin, who has 20 years of law enforcement background in addition to being a dog trainer, and Cindy Earnshaw, a journalist and former LEO/Animal Control officer.

Together, this threesome came up with a plethora of knowledge to share with all dog owners. The following information was written by Cheryl and should be shared with all dog owners:

If people know that the police are coming, then every effort should be made to make sure that the dogs are restrained in such a manner that they won't be able to escape. Even if you think that nothing will happen and that your dog is friendly and will not charge the officer, bark at them, etc., always expect the unexpected. Things can happen and circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. So always restrain your dogs.

Do not EVER allow your dogs to roam your neighborhood. If your dog is unrestrained and the police come to your home unexpectedly and the officer asks you to restrain your dog, do so immediately.

USE YOUR VOICE to alert the officer to your dog's NAME and loudly announce "Let me put up my dog, I am putting up my dog!" If the officer is not comfortable with the method of you restraining your dog (a dog on a retractable leash or the dog is jumping up on the fence after being placed in the backyard) and there is a chance that it is making the officer uncomfortable, immediately offer to restrain your dog further.

When you see officers in the vicinity of your home and your dog is outside, ESPECIALLY if they appear to be searching for someone/something, bring your dog inside. If it looks as though police are actively going into yards to search, don't think "I'll help the police out" and let your dog OUT, keep them in until police presence is gone. It is also a good idea put signs on your fence to indicate that there are dogs at the house and possibly in the backyard, so that officers are not taken by surprise if they are searching for someone and jump the fence to find there are dogs there. If both the officer and the dog are taken by surprise, that would put them in all in a position of defense….not good.

Do what you can to discourage your dog's excitement towards any officer or other official who is in your presence. Never tempt fate by encouraging your dog's excitement towards the officer. Dogs react differently to people in uniform, and they can and may behave in an unexpected manner.

It is imperative to remember that the legal default presumption is always that the dog owners are ultimately wholly responsible for the welfare and control of their canines.

If an officer does what was allegedly reported by the owner of Cisco, file a lawsuit against the officer, the police department, and the municipality. Under certain circumstances and under local law, it may be appropriate to file charges of animal cruelty/abuse against the officer. I don't think there was really anything his owner could have said or done in order to prevent the shooting, other than what he already did, due to the fact that the officer was pointing a gun at him and basically telling him not to move.

Kevin is hoping to create a course to help educate law enforcement officials about better communication with pet owners. He also hopes to teach law enforcement about how to read a dog's body language.

Please take a moment to share this valuable information with anyone who owns a dog. It could prevent a tragedy. Many thanks to Cheryl and Kevin Goede and Cindy Earnshaw for taking the time to put this important information together.
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Texas Officer Saves Dog's Life Twice

The first time officer Aaron Morgan, from Pantego, Texas, saved Ginger’s life, was back in September when he was off duty, visiting relatives in Arlington, Texas. The rookie officer heard the yelps of a dog and when he peeked through the fence, he found a young boy beating, choking and kicking the tan color, seven-month-old dog.

He called area police and immediately a squad car was dispatched to the location. The dog’s owner surrendered the pet, and Ginger was sent to the Arlington Animal Shelter.

Morgan believed Ginger would soon find a loving forever home, after all the pet was cute and very young, but on October 30th, 2014, the police officer learned Ginger was on death row. Time was up and no one had come forward to take this beautiful dog home.

The rookie cop couldn’t accept he had saved the young dog from one bad situation just to have the dog land in another, therefore the very next morning he showed up at the shelter to adopt and save the dog.

“It wasn’t fair to let this dog be euthanized,” Morgan told the Star-Telegram. “It wasn’t fair to take it out of one situation and then say ‘Sorry, this is where your road ends.’ ”

Ginger found a loving forever home with Morgan and to start a new life, the dog received a new name. Ginger is now called Duke.

Thank you officer Morgan for saving Ginger/Duke twice! FOLLOW US!

Meet the Secret Service Dogs Who Took Down White House Fence Jumper

The Secret Service dogs that tussled with a White House fence jumper, including one dog that was violently kicked by the suspect, are recovering today, officials said.

The canines, named Hurricane and Jordan, were taken to a veterinarian after the attack and treated for minor bruising. Both were cleared to return to duty.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet the Secret Service Dogs Who Took Down White House Fence Jumper

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Lawrence Police Officer Finds 3-Week-Old Pup in Pocket of Suspected Drug Dealer

A suspected drug dealer placed under arrest late last week surprised a Lawrence, Massachusetts police officer when the suspect pulled out a three-week-old puppy from his pocket reported whdh.com.

The adorable little one was turned over to the Lawrence Animal Control who notified Pittie Love Rescue Shelter in Framingham; from there the tiny pooch was turned over to a foster home for around the clock care. Alexis Bywater, the foster mom, who initially cared for the puppy, named the little one "Pocket."

"I was actually shocked at how tiny she was, she didn't have any teeth and was just like a tiny loaf."

By Sunday night, however Pocket wasn't doing well; the puppy began to vomit and exhibit diarrhea. She was rushed to the Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Waltham where she received additional medical care under the careful eye of Dr. Kristina DePaula. The puppy is now doing fine and has become a tiny superstar at the hospital.

It is illegal to sell a dog or cat in most states under the age of eight-weeks. It has not been announced if the suspect who had "Pocket" in his pocket will be charged with animal cruelty.

In the meantime, the tiny black, adorable pooch named Pocket will be released from the veterinary hospital, returned to her foster home and be cared for, until Pittie Love Rescue Shelter says she is ready to be adopted.

What a way to begin life Pocket!

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