VIDEO: PETA to Award Cocoa Police With Their ‘Compassionate Police Department’ Title
By Space Coast Daily // October 31, 2015
It was a scary day for 3 dogs in Cocoa. They were stuck in a storm drain but luckily, a local officer heard their cries and they were able to be saved.MORE INFO http://bit.ly/1NykdVM
Posted by Fox 35 WOFL on Tuesday, October 27, 2015
ABOVE VIDEO: It was a scary day Tuesday for 3 dogs in Cocoa. They were stuck in a storm drain but luckily, a local officer heard their cries and they were able to be saved. ( Fox 35 WOFL Video)
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Officer Matt Rush’s proactive attention to detail which launched a multi-agency rescue of three dogs trapped in a storm drain earlier this week has now earned the department a new title.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has given the Cocoa Police Department its “Compassionate Police Department Award” for the rescue efforts and will be sending an honorary certificate to the department.
In a letter addressed to Chief Cantaloupe, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote “We hope this kind and heroic effort will inspire others to come to the aid of animals in need.”
The letter goes on to state, “In recognition of this action, we’ll be sending your department a framed certificate and a box of delicious vegan cookies to share.”
“We are grateful for the recognition, and are proud of our agency and Officer Rush. All of our officers do outstanding service in our community every day. We are glad we are able to make such a positive impact,” said Chief Cantaloupe.
On Tuesday at around 7:30 a.m. Officer Matt Rush was on routine patrol duty when he heard dogs barking as if in distress.
When he stopped to investigate where the barks were coming from he located a trio of pit bulls trapped in a storm drain underneath SR 520 in the eastbound left lane.
Officer Rush realized he could not free the trapped dogs by himself and he summoned the assistance of Brevard County Animal Services and the Cocoa Fire Rescue Department.
After about 45 minutes, firefighters, police officers and animal control officers were able to free the dogs.
It was determined they were in good condition and the dogs were later returned to their owners.
Video of the rescue, which was captured by freelance videographer Greg Hartman, was provided to several news agencies and was posted on social media pages. It garnered more than 30-million views.
“It’s exciting to see this kind of response,” Chief Cantaloupe added.
