Officers Rescue Dog in Distress

On Sunday, July 12th, at approximately 4:10 p.m. Officers Scott Smith and Joe Lardieri responded to 252 Sawmill Rd. in reference to an animal complaint. Sergeant Jason Shepherd arrived on scene as well. The caller advised police dispatchers that a dog had been outside on the third story balcony in direct sun for several hours.

Upon arrival the officers observed the dog, a pit bull breed, panting heavily and barking and appeared to be in distress. Attempts to contact a resident at the front door were unsuccessful. Officer Smith used a laser temperature gauge to determine that the temperature on the surface of the balcony was in excess of 110 degrees. Officers contacted the Herbertsville Fire Company to have a ladder brought to the scene so officers could rescue the dog. By this time several area residents were gathered outside watching the scene unfold.

Officer Smith climbed the ladder to the balcony and let the dog in through the sliding glass doors as the watching residence clapped and cheered. After letting the dog in Officer Smith found that a woman had been inside the residence sleeping. The woman was a roommate who was not the owner of the dog.

The dog was brought to an emergency veterinarian for overnight treatment and observation while officers ascertained ownership information. On Monday July 13th, the dog’s owner, Jade Brown, was issued a summons for Failure to Provide Care for an Animal. The dog has been seized from her possession.

Sgt. Shepherd was heard praising the cooperative effort to rescue the dog, “I’m just glad someone called it in in time for us to get to the dog. The fire department and the guys all did a great job.”
The dog is currently safe and cared for in a local animal shelter.