Cop sees puppy being strangled by owner – arrests owner and then takes the puppy home
Dog abuse is horrible in any form. It is how we respond in light of that abuse that defines us as individuals. One police officer from Fresno, California is being hailed after he stepped up and adopted a puppy that he rescued from abuse.
An officer responds to an animal abuse call
Officer Joshua Weskamp, of the Fresno Police Department, responded to a call of a puppy being strangled on the street, upon arriving on the scene, he found a homeless man viciously strangling the dog. He had already beaten the puppy, tossing him in the air toward a nearby garbage truck.
Officer Weskamp rescues the puppy
Officer Weskamp immediately took action, calling the Central California SPCA to come and get the poor, abused dog. He also arrested the suspect and began an animal cruelty investigation looking into the abuse.
Weskamp continues to check in on the puppy after he is safe
In addition to saving the puppy’s life, Weskamp also took a vested interest in the welfare of the dog. He began visiting the SPCA to keep up with what was happening with the five-month-old Labrador-pit bull mix. Workers as the shelter and local activists were touched by Weskamp’s dedication to the injured dog.
Weskamp tries to adopt the puppy
Weskamp also vigorously pursued the case against the homeless abuser, trying to make sure that he received the punishment he deserved. Once that was taken care of, Weskamp decided to try and adopt the pup. He was to receive some disappointing news on this front.
Weskamp initially meets some roadblocks in his attempts
He was told that since the puppy was serving as evidence in the case, Weskamp could not adopt him. His struggle to adopt the puppy took months, but finally, Weskamp was given the all-clear. The puppy, that he had named LEO, short for Law Enforcement Officer, would be going home with him.
What to do if you witness animal abuse
If you notice animal abuse, there are certain steps you should take when reporting it. Start by taking down any information that the police might need while investigating the abuse. This includes such information as the type of abuse taking place, who is performing the abuse, and the date and time the abuse is happening, and the location.
Whatever you do, do not go on to private property to help an abused animal. You should also refrain from getting involved in stopping the abuse if it is dangerous to do so. In such cases, you should always rely on local law enforcement to take care of the individuals involved.
Weskamp plans to give his new dog the best life possible. For more on how you can donate or adopt a pet, visit the Central California SPCS Facebook page.
Here is a video of Weskamp and his new dog as they leave the shelter.
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