Ensuring the safety of everyone in the community, be they human or animal, is a fundamental responsibility of police officers. Recently, a group of NYPD officers exemplified this commitment by rescuing a blind dog trapped in a pond.
Halloween turned particularly harrowing for an 8-year-old border collie named Sparky, who found himself stranded in the icy waters of Baisley Pond in South Jamaica, Queens. A concerned individual dialed 911, prompting NYPD officers Branden Williams and Marc Esposito from the 113th precinct to respond swiftly, as reported by WABC. Initially awaiting additional assistance, the officers, moved by the dog’s distress calls, realized they couldn’t afford to delay.
“It was honestly really sad to hear,” Esposito shared with CBS News. “We called our Emergency Service Unit. They said they were coming, but just by listening to the dog, we knew we had to do something.”
“We couldn’t see him but we could hear him crying out, so once we heard that, we knew we had to do something, we had to jump in there,” Williams recounted to WABC.
Navigating the challenging terrain posed by the deep and freezing waters, Esposito explained, “It was shallow, but it was so uneven, so you’d take a step, and then another step, and that next step you just sank all the way down until you’re chest high, neck high, so it was a bit of a struggle to get to the dog.”
Eventually, they reached the shivering dog and safely brought him back to dry land. Observing his clouded eyes, they realized Sparky was blind. Despite the ordeal, he proved to be a good-natured and friendly dog.
The officers transported him to the precinct, where Animal Care and Control took charge. Veterinarians examined and treated Sparky for hypothermia. Reunited with his owners, who had reported him missing the previous day, Sparky is now recuperating at home.
Witnessing individuals go above and beyond to rescue animals is always inspiring. The officers expressed their satisfaction in aiding a pet in distress. “In the moment, you think, if this was my dog, I wish somebody would help,” reflected Officer Esposito. “It’s a really good feeling knowing that we saved the dog and it got reunited with its family.”