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Glendale police officer uses pumpkin muffin to rescue dog from canal

A dog was seen in the canal with no way of escape, so some nearby officers jumped in to help.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Glendale Police Department strives to serve all members of their community.

Even the four-legged kind.

On June 17, several officers responded to the scene at a canal near 75th Avenue and Bethany Home Road for an animal welfare check. Once they arrived they found a German Sheperd swimming in the canal with no way of escape.

One of the officers removed his ballistic vest and gun belt and climbed into the canal to rescue the pup, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

After several attempts, the dog would not get close enough to the officer. Running out of options, another officer on the scene had another idea. Police said his wife packed him some pumpkin muffins and they decided to use the treat to coax the dog to them.

It was just what they needed as the dog approached them for a bite of the muffin and officers were able to grab the dog and pull him to safety.

The post said the dog was reunited with its owner who lived down the street.

Pumpkin Muffin Dog Rescue
On this #FeelGoodFriday we want to share with you how a few compassionate officers saved the day with a pumpkin muffin! On June 17th, Officers responded to the 57-hundred block of 79th Ave for an animal welfare check. A passerby had observed a German Shepherd swimming in the canal with no route for escape. Officers arrived on scene and located a tired German Shepherd swimming back and forth in the canal. Officer Sorenson took immediate action by removing his ballistic vest and gun belt and entering the canal to try and rescue the dog. The dog was skittish and did not immediately come to Officer Sorensen, but Officer Downey had just the plan. His wife had packed him some freshly baked pumpkin muffins for his patrol shift, and they were just the bribery needed for this little pooch. Officer Sorensen was able to use the muffin as a tool to get the dog close, at which time he grabbed onto his collar and removed him from the canal. Gratefully, the dog was reunited with his owner who lived just down the street. Great work by our patrol officers! Hopefully Officer Downey’s wife was able to whip up a new batch of muffins for him!
Posted by Glendale Police Department - Arizona on Friday, June 23, 2023

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