CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WRIC) — Two Chesterfield Police officers are being commended for their good work after they rescued two sickly dogs struggling to get off of a steep embankment.
Police posted a message from an appreciative family after officers responded to help them.
The family’s two Golden Retrievers, Goldie and Blondie, apparently went missing while they went were on a walk, according to a statement released by police from the dog’s owners. Finally, the pups were found at the bottom of a steep ravine at the back of the family’s property on the James River.
Goldie and Blondie are both 12-years-old and suffer from multiple ailments, including leukemia, arthritis and more.
“These poor dogs are old and have suffered many debilitating health problems.”
The dogs were having a hard time jumping out of the river onto the embankment. The family called animal control, but there wasn’t anyone available at the time to help the family. Ultimately, they called the fire department, who dispatched Officer G. C. Percival to the scene.
“He arrived with a big smile on his face and walked down the stairs and was so genuinely kind and helpful.”
Officer Percival then called on Officer A. W. Warejko to assist him.
Officer Percival came up with the idea to carry the dogs up the stairs. He suggested using a tarp to wrap the dogs in and then carry them up. By the time Officer Warejko arrived, the group had found a piece of tarp to do the job.
“Despite being allergic to dogs, Officer Warejko was ready to help.”
With some team work and elbow grease, the officers and the dog owners wrapped the 90 pound dogs individually in the tarp and carried them up the set of over 150 wooden stairs ahead of them.
“The officers were drenched in sweat — but despite this whole ordeal, they were so genuine in doing their jobs and so overwhelmingly positive, we were very touched by their assistance. Never once did they make us feel as though this was beneath them. They helped with genuine warmth and kindness.”
Way to go, officers!
