California: CHP officer finds, rescues horse seen wandering on freeway

CALIFORNIA -- CHP – Stockton posted on Facebook December 13, 2017 ·

Today, Stockton CHP Officer Love was on southbound I-5 south of the Sacramento County Line, turning to check on a disabled motorist.

Officer Love then observed a brown and white horse walking up the embankment onto the freeway shoulder. The horse was preparing to walk into the traffic lanes.

Officer Love was able to corral the horse and keep it on the right shoulder. A citizen stopped and provided a dog leash in attempt to contain the horse. Officer Love was able to keep the horse calm and secure the leash around the neck and attached the horse to the patrol vehicle push bumpers until the owners and animal control arrived on scene to take custody of the horse.

The horse was safely escorted back to the property it escaped from near the freeway. #horsewrangler #nationalhorseday

California: CHP officer adopts dog he rescued from freeway

CALIFORNIA -- CHP Officer Maxwell Taylor and his fiancé adopted the dog Taylor rescued from the middle of the freeway earlier this week.

Officer Maxwell Taylor is more than just a hero to the dog he rescued on Monday from the side of the freeway, he is now the proud owner of the 2-year-old German shepherd.

Taylor responded to calls Monday afternoon about a dog in the middle of freeway.

"She was obviously excited somebody was paying attention to her, she stayed right with me didn't run into traffic, didn't go anywhere, waiting for a car to come pick her up to take her back to our office."

The German shepherd was taken to Kern County Animal Services where she was named Chipette. On Friday, the Taylor family made Chipette a part of their family.

"We are very excited that the Taylor family was able to come out and adopt this wonderful German shepherd and that Officer Taylor was able to save her life and get her off the side of the road," Kern County Animal Services Outreach Programs Manager Sally Breyer said.

The Taylors were equally excited, lining up outside the animal shelter at 5:30 in the morning.

"We woke up super early to be here to make sure we were one of the first ones to sign up for the adoptions and Max talked about how much he had a connection with the dog and we knew it was important," Taylor's fiance Vanessa Hernandez said.

The family already has a dog, but after playing with Chipette for a while they knew she would be a perfect fit.

"I felt a connection with the dog and I felt like it was a good fit for our family, we have another dog and it felt special to me and i felt we needed to bring her into my home," Taylor said.    

Officer Taylor says Chipette has to receive her shots and get micro-chipped before they can bring her home next Tuesday.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(Kern Golden Empire - July 21, 2017)

Colorado: State Trooper Saves Injured Kitten On I-25

COLORADO -- Colorado State Patrol Trooper Graham Thorne rescued an injured cat off the highway this morning.

It happened on Interstate 25 and East Castle Pines Parkway, which is just north of Castle Rock.

The rescued cat was taken to the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center in Castle Rock.

They say that the six-month-old female tortoiseshell-colored cat sustained some abrasions to her nose and paws, for which she’s undergoing treatment, but is expected to be okay.

Since she was not chipped, the Dumb Friends League will hold her for five days so, if there is one, a pet parent can come claim her. If one isn’t located in that time, though, she’ll be made available for adoption.

Trooper Thorne, they hear, is interested in adopting her, so they’re giving him first dibs to see if he’s a good match.

(CBS Local - Feb 23, 2017)

MORE PHOTOS ADDED - California: CHP officer rescues weary pelican wandering near freeway

CALIFORNIA -- A California Highway Patrol officer, a former falconer, captured a pelican wandering near westbound Interstate 80 in Truckee.

The CHP got a call about an injured bird on the highway. Officers arrived about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday to find the pelican on a hill beside the freeway.

California Highway Patrol Officer Troy Griesemer
holds a pelican he rescued Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016,
near Interstate 80 in Truckee.
Photo: California Highway Patrol

When CHP Officer Troy Griesemer approached the bird, it flew off between the first and second lanes on the highway, dodging a car to get to the other side, he said. The bird was not injured but appeared tired, he said.

“He looked tired from flying, so I knew I could get a hold of him,” he said. “This isn’t the first bird I’ve caught. I knew what to look for, how he was going to react and how he would try to defend himself.”

 

Griesemer said he has caught a red-tailed hawk and eagles.

After Griesemer caught the pelican, it was placed in the back seat of the car and taken to the CHP office, where it sat for about an hour. The pelican was then taken to the Truckee Police Department animal shelter before being picked up by a wildlife rescue team.

Though it’s not common for CHP officers to have to catch wild animals, they have rescued a fawn, an eagle and others, officials said.

The pelican, which was not injured, was eventually
taken to the Truckee Police Department animal
shelter before being picked up by a wildlife
rescue team. Photo: California Highway Patrol

(newsobserver.com - Aug 4, 2016)

New York: Limo Driver Stops on Brooklyn Bridge to Save Tiny Dog

NEW YORK -- A limousine came to a halt on the Brooklyn Bridge after the driver noticed a small pup on the loose.

Garrick Quinones, 52, owner of Limousine of New York in Staten Island, said he was on his way to pick up a passenger earlier this month when he saw a dog run underneath a moving car on the bridge.

"I was so surprised that I pulled the car over," Quinones told ABC News today. "I just could not believe that in the middle of the roadway that there would be this dog. I was thinking, 'Wow this dog is like Toto from the 'Wizard of Oz' -- a red-haired version, an adorable little dog. I knew he needed help and I felt compelled to do it."

Quinones used the cord to his cell phone charger to create a makeshift leash. With the help of a good Samaritan, he was able to capture the dog, he said.

"At first, the dog was a little nervous and wouldn't let me grab his paw," Quinones recalled. "He was a well-kept and very nice and affectionate little guy. He was really friendly. He licked my hand at one point and was really grateful."

Although the dog had no collar, Quinones said he appeared to be well cared for. Because the pup had a leg injury, Quinones believes he may have escaped his owner and fell from the bridge's pedestrian walkway, landing in the slow-moving traffic below.

Quinones brought the dog into his limousine and got him some fresh water. He then dialed 9-1-1, asking the operator about possible reports from an owner who lost their dog on the Brooklyn bridge, he said.

With no leads, Quinones said he brought the pup to the NYPD'd 19th Precinct in Manhattan, where it was discovered that the dog had been micro-chipped. The police informed Quinones that they were tracking the owner, he said.

"I'm so happy," Quinones said. "He's such a nice a little dog. I just didn't know how the heck this little guy got there."

A PIO at NYPD's 19th precinct told ABC News that standard protocol is for police to turn the dog over to the ASPCA. The ASPCA in New York has not yet responded to ABC News' request for comment.

(Good Morning America - June 24, 2016)

Florida: Dog rescued from Selmon Expressway reuinted with owner

FLORIDA -- There were some tense moments along the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway as drivers tried to box in and rescue a wayward pup running along the busy Tampa highway. The video was shared thousands of times online, and that pup was reunited with its owner Friday evening.

It all started in the eastbound lanes of the expressway, where it crosses the Hillsborough River. Nate Bennett said he joined two other drivers in their cars Friday - working together to direct a dog, with its leash still attached, away from traffic.

Eventually, one car moved close to the dog and the scared pup jumped up onto the railing, where it appeared it was about to fall. Fortunately, the driver of the car next to Bennett stopped and a man named Carlos Ramos jumped out to save the pooch.

Bennett kept driving, relieved the dog was off the busy street. Meanwhile, Ramos and his girlfriend took to Facebook, trying to find the dog's owner. Their posts quickly spread to many Bay Area residents' social media feeds - and it worked.

Chip Kelley saw the post after searching for the dog - named Max - all day. His daughter, Hannah, along with her fiancé and Max, were driving along a road just off the expressway when they were in an accident. Max jumped from the window of the car and ran off.

"The last thing I remember is losing control of the car, hitting the median in between the exit and the interstate, hearing the dog bark, and then a few seconds later, the dog is gone," Hannah's fiancé Nicholas Gordon said.

Hannah was injured in the crash, but insisted Nicholas go look for Max instead of riding with her in the ambulance to the hospital. Little did they know, Max was being scooped up and kept safe by a Good Samaritan at about the same time.

A few phone calls later, Max and Chip Kelley were reunited and Kelley was able to thank the caring strangers who helped rescue his friend.

"If I had a million dollars, I'd give you a million dollars," Kelley told Ramos and his girlfriend when they handed Max, unharmed, over Friday evening. "He's a wonderful dog. Looking at the footage just petrifies me. I can't imagine him running all that way, because that was quite a distance."

(FOX13 - June 25, 2016)

Idaho: Police rescue kitten thrown out of window onto busy freeway; need your help to find who did it

IDAHO -- Posted on the Napa Police Department Facebook page:

We here at Nampa Police often reach out for the public's help. Once again we could use it......This one is a little bit unnerving and for cat lovers- INFURIATING!

Tonight officers were dispatched to Interstate I 84 at MP 36 where a caller was advising that someone had just thrown a kitten out of the window of a moving vehicle while on the freeway.

Nampa Officer's were able to get on scene in time and keep the kitten from getting run over by passing traffic.

Heroes: NPD Officers Orvis and Orvis

"Officer Orvis first saw the kitten hunkered down next to the concrete median barrier. When he stopped it ran under his car and crawled up next to the gas tank. They had to pull off the freeway and get a jack to lift the car up so they could get it out. Poor thing was soaking wet, cold and scared. I hope someone will give it a good home."

The kitten survived the ordeal and was rescued by NPD Officers Tillett and Orvis.

The suspect vehicle is a light colored (white or tan) 2 door pick up truck. It was last seen on I-84 traveling west from milepost 36.

The kitten, deftly named "Lucky" after her harrowing experience, is being cared for by a kind citizen until a home can be found for her.

If anyone recognizes "Lucky" or has any information on the heartless and cruel animal abuser, please call Nampa Police at 208-465-2257 and refer to CR# N16-31923

(Nampa Police Department Facebook - June 16, 2016)

Texas: Fort Worth officer helps rescue dog running across I-30

TEXAS -- A motorcycle officer riding eastbound on Interstate 30 Tuesday morning thought he had come across a car wreck when he saw a plume of smoke and a woman getting out of her car.

However, it was the beginning of a dog chase.

Officer James Shiderly had been assigned to a police-escort motorcade for U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan in Dallas earlier in the morning as the Republican House speaker attended fundraisers for congressional Republicans seeking re-election.

Afterward, Shiderly drove back to Fort Worth, ate lunch and hopped on I-30.

Near the University Drive exit, he spotted a woman slam on her breaks and then get out of the driver’s side. He soon realized she was trying to rescue a dog on the highway.

Shiderly said it was about 12:45 p.m.

“I was talking to it on the intercom, saying ‘Come here, girl,’ ” Shiderly told the Star-Telegram Tuesday night.

He maintained pace with the dog who looked like a Blue heeler and terrier mix and got off his bike a few times.

“The first time, it tried to bite me,” Shiderly said. “The second time, it started urinating.”

Michael Ramirez, 33, was in his office at 1320 S. University Drive when he saw a traffic jam and a person running out into traffic.

“That caught my attention and then I realized it was a Good Samaritan trying to catch a dog running down the freeway,” Ramirez said.

He next saw Shiderly trying to help catch the dog, and started filming the chase on his phone at 12:58 p.m.

Three lanes of the freeway were shut down for a few minutes when, about 20 minutes later, the officer, some drivers and a Code Compliance vehicle blocked her off near the exits for Lancaster Avenue and Henderson Street.

The dog ran under the Code Compliance vehicle and lay down.

Shiderly grabbed water from his bike and poured it in his hand to give the dog, but she wouldn’t have it, he said.

“It was freaked out and stressed out,” he said.

The Code Compliance officer finally took the dog to the Chuck Silcox Animal Care & Control Center at 4900 Martin St. where staff will try to find the owner, he said.

Martinez said he didn’t get to see the ending, but believes Shiderly “did a good job of managing traffic while trying to get the dog to safety.”

“It has been a long day,” Shiderly chuckled at the end of the night.

(Star Telegram - May 4, 2016)

Arizona: Worker rushes to rescue puppy spotted on highway traffic cam

ARIZONA -- An Arizona Department of Transportation worker who spotted a puppy on a freeway traffic camera jumped into his car and drove several miles to rescue the canine.

Gil Estrada said he was at his desk at the Arizona Department of Transportation Traffic Control Center in Phoenix when he spotted the white puppy narrowly evading speeding cars on State Route 51.

"It was hard to watch. The dog kept getting so close to being hit," Estrada told KNXV-TV.

Estrada said he rushed to his car after he saw the dog make it to the median between the northbound and southbound lanes.

He found the dog near where he last saw it on camera.

"I was worried about when I approached it. I didn't know if it was gonna bite at me, take off and run, or get on the other side of the freeway where I couldn't help it at all. I approached gently and talked gently and luckily positive things happened," Estrada said.

The worker brought the puppy back to the control center, where a worker took her home for the night.

The puppy was taken to the Arizona Equine Rescue Organization in Scottsdale, which normally deals with larger animals but made an exception due to the dog's unusual story.

"If the owner cannot be found, AERO will facilitate finding the right home for this amazing survivor. We may normally do large animal rescue, but something about this puppy's situation motivated us to branch outside of the norm.

"Since we don't know her name, we'll call her Dottie, as a shout out to the ADOT employees who rescued her. No AERO funds will be used in the housing and care for Dottie of course since she is outside our mission, but we are so glad to be able to help," the organization said in a Facebook post.

Dottie will be available for adoption if no owner comes forward in the next few days.

(UPI - Jan 28, 2016)

Kitten rescued on Interstate 580 in Oakland

CALIFORNIA -- Here's more proof that cats have nine lives.

The CHP's Oakland office posted a photo on their Facebook page of a kitten that was rescued on Monday morning.

Officials say workers with the Freeway Service Patrol rescued the little kitty after it jumped into the wheel well of a car that was stopped in traffic on Interstate 580 at High Street in Oakland.

And here's another sign it was the kitten's lucky day -- another driver adopted it right on the spot!

(abc7chicago - May 19, 2014)

CHP Rescues Tiny Chihuahua Stuck on I-680

CALIFORNIA -- This adorable pic isn’t really viral now, but we’re predicting that it will soon get lots of RTs, shares and smiling emojis.

CHP Contra Costa on Friday tweeted a photo showing one of its officers coaxing a tiny chihuahua off I-680′s center divider in heavy traffic.

“This little dog needed some help off I-680 freeway today. We’re glad he’s safe. #CHP #Safe #Dog #DogTreats,” said the Tweet posted by @320PIO.

Officers discovered the puppy Friday afternoon after responding to a call about a small animal stranded on the center divider near the North Main Street overpass in Walnut Creek.

A motorcycle officer used a protein bar to lure the puppy into his arms and the two made it safely off the freeway.

It’s unclear how or why the pooch ended up in the center of the freeway.

CHP Officer John Fransen said he wishes people would call authorities instead of dumping the animals.

“As sad as it sounds, it actually happens pretty often,” he said.

Last month, a 5-week-old chihuahua was rescued from a dumpster by Boston animal control officers. The puppy suffered head trauma and weighed only 2 pounds when he was found, but Oscar is reportedly healthy and safe.

CHP Official, John Franzen, says they see discarded pets on the freeway all the time. He says he wishes people would call authorities instead of dumping the animals.

(KRON - May 9, 2014)

La Porte police officer shuts down highway to save dog

TEXAS -- A police officer in La Porte helped save a dog that was in trouble on a busy freeway on Monday, and now the story has gone viral on the Internet.

Cujo’s a jittery rat terrier with a bad hip who spends his days hanging around his house in La Porte; but, that all changed on Monday.

"I would describe him as a Napoleon-type of dog,” said Jeremy Zapalac, one of his owners. “He's very short, but with a very big ego."

Still, it was surprising when Cujo ducked out of an open door Monday morning and wandered away from home. The Zapalac family spent much of the day searching their neighborhood, calling in help from relatives to scour the area for their missing pet.

“We spent the whole morning, about an hour, looking for him,” Zapalac said. “It started pouring down rain. And he hates water."

As it turned out, Cujo drifted all the way up to Spencer Highway, a short drive in a car, but a long walk for a little dog with a hip that forces him to toddle around with a slight waddle. Somehow he crossed the busy road and started walking in a moving lane of traffic.

Cujo’s story might have ended right then and there, but the shivering pooch caught a lucky break.

“He’s not going to make it if I don’t do something,” said Kyle Jones, a La Porte police officer who happened to be driving by.

Jones made a quick decision: He spun his car around and blocked traffic on the busy highway to save the life of a lost dog.

“When I saw it and saw the size of it, I immediately hit my lights and shut all the lanes off,” Jones said.

The officer stepped out of his patrol car and bent over, calling out to the dog.

“You know how Chihuahuas are,” Jones said with a chuckle. “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."

Little did Jones know that someone was snapping a photo that has gone viral on Facebook, drawing thousands of comments praising the officer’s simple act of kindness.

Officer Jones normally rides a motorcycle, but opted
for a patrol car on Monday due to the rain.

Jones turned the dog over to an animal control officer. Luckily, the Zapalac family had put an identification tag on Cujo’s collar. The animal control officer knocked on the family’s door and returned him home Monday evening.

"He was all wet,” Zapalac said. “He was soaked. We got him in wrapped him up, dried him up and he just slept in his bed all day."

Email sent to the police from Cujo's family:
Just wanted to send a big thanks for the kindness shown to my "4 legged" son this morning!

As I raised my garage door to let our cat out this morning I left back door cracked and my little old guy ran out. When I discovered he was missing minutes later it had started raining. I drove up and down street with no luck seeing him. My son joined my search. He drove around in his car as I walked around neighborhood and park.

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

(KHOU - Feb 12, 2013)

Riverside County Animal Services Rescue Potbellied Pig From Highway 91

CALIFORNIA -- Riverside County Animal Services officers had their hands full, literally, while rescuing a potbellied pig on Highway 91 Saturday.

Officers responded to a “loose pig” call about 4 p.m.

Lt. Chris Mayer of Riverside County Animal Services tranquilized the road hog and then transported the porcine animal to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

How the big potbellied pig ended up on the freeway is not known.

An owner has not stepped forward.

The pig reportedly was on the freeway “for some time” and forced the California Highway Patrol to shut down the westbound 91 for a short period.

The animal was tranquilized near the Central Avenue exit in Riverside.

(losangeles.cbslocal.com - Sept 8, 2012)