Rusty the mini poodle didn’t mean to cause a stir, he just saw an open gate and decided to take the opportunity to stretch his legs. A few blocks later, a kind neighbor spotted Rusty wandering the street and brought him over to the Isle of Palms Police Department, where he made the most of his short stay.
It was during a shift change that the neighbor walked into the station with Rusty. Communication Specialist Jane Stewart and Sgt. Kevin Barattini, who are both known around the station for their love of dogs, took the adorable mini poodle under their wing. They decided not to place him in a kennel. Instead, Rusty got to roam the station, greet officers and enjoy plenty of treats. He climbed into chairs, accepted belly rubs and even “answered” a few phones.
At first, he seemed unsure, but some food and friendly faces quickly comforted the pup. Before long, Rusty was wagging his tail and stealing the hearts of his newfound pals. A short while later, his family came back from dinner and realized Rusty was gone. They came straight to the station where Barattini brought Rusty into the lobby and the family was able to reunite. Barattini said, “The joy, the relief and the love between Rusty and his family were undeniable.”
Rusty’s adventure had a happy ending, but not all lost pets are as lucky. The IOPPD reminds pet owners to leash up when outside and to make sure pets wear ID tags. Microchipping helps too, especially if a collar slips off. The department has microchip scanners and does everything possible to return pets to their families. If 24 hours passes and the family does not come forward, pets are then taken to the Charleston Animal Society.
For questions about pet safety, contact Animal Control Officer Sean Kittrell at <[email protected].
By Allyah Harrar
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