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    The Sideshow

    Cop shuts down highway to save small dog, becomes Web hero

    By | The Sideshow – Wed, Feb 13, 2013

    Police officer Kyle Jones of La Porte, Texas, shut down a highway on a rainy day to help a small dog find its way home.

    Unbeknown to Officer Jones, a nearby motorist took a photo of the officer's kindhearted gesture. A short time later, the photo of Officer Jones attempting to wrangle the stubborn little pooch was at the top of the popular social network Reddit.

    KHOU 11 News has more details. Cujo, the dog, had escaped his home on Monday morning. One of his owners, Jeremy Zapalac, organized a search party in the neighborhood. But after an hour, it started to rain. "He hates water," Zapalac said of the rat terrier.

    The dog had wandered over to a nearby highway. Fortunately, Officer Jones saw the small dog, stopped his car (and traffic), and generally went the extra mile to make sure he got home safely.

    [Related: NYPD officer photographed giving boots to barefoot homeless man melts icy hearts online]

    "He’s not going to make it if I don’t do something," Jones said of the tiny dog. "When I saw it and saw the size of it, I immediately hit my lights and shut all the lanes off."

    Jones wasn't sure the dog would go with him, but it turned out Cujo was happy to see him. "You know how Chihuahuas are. You're not really sure if you can trust 'em or not. But he kind of looked at me and said, 'Man, I'm glad you're here.' He let me pick him right up. Stuck him in the back seat of the patrol car."

    Jones handed Cujo over to an animal control officer who reunited the lost dog with his owners. They were clearly grateful. A few hours later, the owners sent a thank-you email to the police. It was published at The Huffington Post:

    Just wanted to send a big thanks for the kindness shown to my "4 legged" son this morning! ... As I was walking on Farrington side of park my husband drove up and said that Animal Control had just brought him home. He said an officer had seen him in the middle of Spencer Hwy. and the officer had stopped traffic to help our little guy! Words cannot describe how grateful I am for this wonderful, caring officer and his kind deed!! It is a wonderful feeling to know we have people like him looking out for us...

    I kept reminding myself that he had his tag with his name, address & phone number. Then I would think of how small he is and worry all over again... After a bath and his arthritis medication he has been resting all day. Safe, warm, and home again. All because someone did care!

    Again, our sincere thanks:

    Don and Diwanna Zapalac and Family

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    4,184 comments

    • Seen Enough
      Seen Enough  •  2 days 21 hrs ago
      A man who finds it tough to be kind to an animal, probably finds it hard to treat another human kindly...I salute you officer.
      • grams
        grams 1 day 10 hrs ago
        Nice Story, Nice policeman and Nice ending. Hard to understand there could be any "thumbs down" but guess those are from the "not so nice" people.
    • Harry Tuttle, heating eng ...
      Harry Tuttle, heating eng ...  •  2 days 20 hrs ago
      that could have been my dog , my dog is family.
    • Sherri
      Sherri  •  2 days 22 hrs ago
      Good cop! I think it's only right to shut down the traffic when it isn't going to take much time and save a dogs life. It's tragic for a person that hits the dog too. Poor little thing. I saw a kitty in the street at a red light. I stopped the traffic, just held up my hand when the light turned green and chased the kitty. He was playful and thought it was a game, went back into the street and I ultimately grabbed his hind end and he has been with me ever since. His name is Zorro, he has the black mask, was about 5 weeks and is 11 now. What a wonderful friend. Right beside me through a terrible illness.
      Don't pass an animal in distress unless it's wild or dangerous then call 911. After a summer rain on the way to work I saw a dog laying on the side of the road, by a large puddle and his face almost in the water. I stopped for him, he was starting to wake up and I put him in my car, he was frantic by the time I got home, but the owners had reported him, he was an epileptic and he needed his meds. What happened was he had a seizure by that puddle. Save our doggies and kitties. They could be the love of someone's life.
    • Curious
      Curious  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      Dogs can be skittish but they're not stupid. This little guy knew he needed help and he took it gladly. Good for the officer!
    • Naomi
      Naomi  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      Good job officer...Just looking at that dog and knowing that its life was saved by the thoughtful actions of a human being does my heart just fine...
    • nyankees
      nyankees  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      Reading the comments you get the idea that people don't give a dam about anything other than themselves. Most of us have been involved in, or seen traffic halted by drivers, etc. because of a dog loose. Two kids were chasing their loose dog, and I stopped traffic on my street. Everybody got out of their cars and joined in catching the dog. There were women running around in spike heels and suits, guys in business suits, old people, many falling down as they tried to grab the very happy dog. When the dog was caught, everybody applauded, then quickly got back in their cars and took off.
    • Mike
      Mike  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      Sir, you are truly a real man and humanitarian, I salute you.
    • Gordon
      Gordon  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      I love a good story like this.
    • Steve
      Steve  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      Thanks guys good job.
    • orions girl
      orions girl  •  2 days 23 hrs ago
      My, what big eyes you have!!! Great job officer!!!
     Post a comment

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