Baltimore Cop Responds to ‘Vicious Dog’ Call, Adopts the Hell Out of Friendly Pitbull
Last week, pitbull fans and dog lovers across the world were saddened to learn that a young pitbull-like dog, Lennox, had been destroyed in Northern Ireland due to a “dangerous breeds” law — despite international offers to re-home the beloved pet abroad where his breed did not violate any laws.
Despite worldwide outcry, Lennox’s plight did not move city officials, and although the pup had never attacked anyone, he was put down. But this week, there is some better news about a “dangerous” pup in need, some judgmental residents, and the kindness of Baltimore Police Officer Dan Waskiewicz.
Waskiewicz was one of two officers responding to a report of a naughty dog terrorizing residents in a residential neighborhood. When the cops arrived on scene, residents were shouting at the pup. Waskiewicz and his partner approached the strange beast, and what happened next is definitely a fairytale puppy adoption story.
Via Fark, Waskiewicz explains the story to a blog. He begins:
“I’m a Police Officer in Baltimore City. I am originally from Wilkes-Barre, and I am a fan of your organization and Pit Bulls. Today I received a call while on duty about a vicious dog chasing kids. When I came on the scene, I noticed people yelling out their windows at the dog. I followed the dog into an ally to see how it was acting. Going on my own approach, being a dog lover, I got out of my car and called the “vicious dog” over to me.”
Then the dog bit his face off, and they think it was on bath salts. Kidding! This is what happened:
“The dog came over with it’s tail between it’s legs and panting. I grabbed my water bottle and the dog sat down next to me and began licking my pants. I started giving the dog water. I brought the dog over and waited for the pound to show up. My partner was not a fan of dogs and was startled by my approach. I suggested to him that this dog cannot be put down, and should be taken to a shelter. We took it upon ourselves to take the dog to the shelter, and transported it in the back seat in the back of our patrol car.”
But shelters are crowded, and the dog was perhaps going to be one of the many marked for death. Waskiewicz changed his mind, and explains:
“Then I decided that I wanted to keep the dog, and spoke to the shelter about the steps to take to adopt it. The dog was originally kept outside and was filthy, and now it just might have a new home!”
Waskiewicz enclosed a few pics, which you can see above. Do you think pitbulls are treated inhumanely and wrongly viewed as violent?
Tags : cute, dan waskiewicz pitbull, happy animal endings, lennox, pitbull saved by police officer, pitbulls
Posted: July 17, 2012
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Jul 18, 2012
Finally a little justice for pitbulls…and a kind, unjaded police officer! The stars must have aligned that day.
Jul 18, 2012
this is not an uncommon story, if given a chance, many of these "vicous" dog calls would be viewed differently. but when the media only showcases the bad ones , public oppinion is tanted…
Jul 18, 2012
Yes pit bulls are dangerous…kissers! bahahaha I love this cop for his humanity. Education is key. Look, Listen, Learn, and Love. Hey Dan Waskiewicz, let me know when you want to have a doggy play day!
Jul 18, 2012
Kudos to this officer for giving this sweet dog a chance!!! Poor baby was thirsty and just needed some love!!
Jul 18, 2012
Yes! They are bred to be loyal and protective of their owners, but it's the way they are raised that can cause them to be vicious. I live with a pitbull, and the only thing I'm afraid of is him licking my face off.
Jul 18, 2012
Yes! They are bred to be loyal and protective of their owners, but it's the way they are raised that can cause them to be vicious. I live with a pitbull, and the only thing I'm afraid of is him licking my face off.
Jul 19, 2012
free your mind from all pre-judgements and racism of ANY race or breed. this story warms my heart <3.
Jul 19, 2012
My pit is the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever encountered. I would have many more if I had more room! glad to hear a happy ending to a pit story!!! Whassup Meister!
Jul 19, 2012
That's one lucky dog I wished I could lick Police Officer Dan Waskiewicz and not get arrested! Officer Dan Waskiewicz single want to mingle hit me up!
Jul 19, 2012
Jamie I miss you & Zeke
Jul 19, 2012
We miss u too! Give our love to everybody!!!
Jul 19, 2012
I'm a pit bull owner and I know bout "unfair" treatment towards them. Not much to tell but it sucks when your dog gets loose (its not often at all, I say no more than a handful since we lived there 7yrs) and the neighbor knows exactly who's dog it it and calls the pound WAY before Calling us! WTF ya know.
Jul 19, 2012
That's a trick the pits use to set you up for the kill. All I know is that I do not want my police officers as pit owners. They are supposed to protect, not add to the problem where we can't walk the streets safely anymore because of these pits. He needs to be educated about the unpredictability of pits, lick your face one moment, and then take off your nose the next. Looks like this one will learn his lesson the hard way.
Jul 19, 2012
That's a trick the pits use to set you up for the kill. All I know is that I do not want my police officers as pit owners. They are supposed to protect, not add to the problem where we can't walk the streets safely anymore because of these pits. He needs to be educated about the unpredictability of pits, lick your face one moment, and then take off your nose the next. Looks like this one will learn his lesson the hard way.
Jul 20, 2012
Beautiful story. To Harve Morgan, this is the misconception I had when a stray pit bull showed up at our house. I tried endlessly to find his owners and I was close to taking him to the pound but decided instead to "foster" him. Nine years later, I can say that he is the best dog I've ever had. He is absolutely sweet and gentle with babies and toddlers and all people. Did you know that Petey- the dog on Little Rascals was a pit bull? They have really gotten a bad rap via the media that knows what sells. Don't buy into it.
Jul 22, 2012
Nice…
Jul 23, 2012
Getting to know a pitbull changed my life and all for the better! They are one sweet breed and I am saddened to know they are killed just because of bad publicity.
Jul 25, 2012
sorry you feel this way.. its not true at all however… educating one self is key …dont discriminate,
Jul 29, 2012
When I was a toddler, around 30 months old, I got to meet the neighbor's dog while with my gram at the neighbor's alley gate where Sam and Marge kept a wonderous grape arbor along side their garage. I got a jar of Marge's concord grape jelly every year and mmm, mmm, mmm, good. Hearing them call their dog Rex let me learn the dog's name instantly. One daybreak, I was up early, went outside, (door was never locked until the 1980's. You know, things were different. People, creatures and things endure changes or fail to adapt and fail to thrive or perhaps they may perish.) I went out the door, back alley gate to the neighbors. I went to their gate and saw Rex who let me know he was happy I came to see him. I went in the gate and into their garage (open, unlocked again) and said hi to Rex. Rex knew me and welcomed me in his dog bed where I fell asleep with him until gram awoke and raised the alarm in panic. I was fine. Neighbor found me and was scared because that gentle brindle pitbull Rex was his guard dog against intruders. He kept his bakery delivery truck in that garage. Someone could of boosted it. Well, a wee break in person like "Baby Face" might, anyway. I knew, looking at him, Rex was alright with me. Love you all, Sam, his wife Marge and dog Rex and their two children, too.
Aug 8, 2012
Harve Morgan,,what was that you said??? The officer needs to be educated??? Mayb you should look yourself in the mirror ..ur the ignorant one who needs to be educated.
Aug 17, 2012
Morgan do you truly know the trick? Wrong breed my friend … come to my work some day. Those cute little fur balls you want to pick up and put near your face … I dare you. I will put my face in a pit's any day over some little lap dog that is the spawn of satan.
Aug 17, 2012
Morgan do you truly know the trick? Wrong breed my friend … come to my work some day. Those cute little fur balls you want to pick up and put near your face … I dare you. I will put my face in a pit's any day over some little lap dog that is the spawn of satan.
Aug 17, 2012
Amanda Krist Yep, this one responded to the call and probably put her face once too often in a pit's. Headlines should read "Savior rescuer killed by propaganda machine of the pit apologists" http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/dekalb-woman-killed-home-pet-dog/nRDCJ/
Sep 25, 2012
as someone who has had there dog shot by police i wish there were more like this guy..thank you officer for showing a little respect for another life
Sep 25, 2012
That is a true officer of the law!good for u sir.god Bleds
Jan 19, 2013
Love it. It's not the dogs that are bad! It's the owners that taught them!
Jan 19, 2013
This helps to ease the heartache I felt when I learned a innocent dog who had never did a wrong thing, Lennox, was killed.
Jan 19, 2013
Any breed of dog can be made to be gentle and kind or vicious and mean, depending on how it was raised and treated. My friend adopted a pitbull that had been treated very meanly and made to fight and the moment she took him home he was an affectionate and happy dog from that day until he passed away at 12 years. He was one of the best dogs I ever knew, got along well with children and cats. Dogs return what we give them ten fold!
Jan 19, 2013
I love you Dan and your new puppy does too!!! I'm so thankful for people like you!
Jan 19, 2013
Pitbulls are awesome, loving, loyal dogs. It's too bad so many people are uneducated about pitbulls and choose to believe they are all mean and dangerous because that's what they read in the newspaper. Bad owners make bad dogs. It doesn't matter the breed. People have got to stop blaming and punishing the dog, punish the owner instead. Blame the deed, not the breed!
Jan 19, 2013
All dogs are good at heart its how there brought up and trained makes the difference My rotweiller is the most loving dog I have ever known with the exception of Roxy my other Rotty They loved kids and people in general I had a lady in the park was petting my rotty and saying what a gentle giant he was and not even a few minutes later brought up how cruel and mean that rotweillers were I was quick to point out she had been standing next to and playing with one for over 30 minutes Should have seen the look on her face when she looked over to see her 6 year daughter feed my dog a ice cream cone. Her daugther was laffing and playing with this 130 lb rotty that loved this little girl.
Jan 19, 2013
A officer in Austin texas went to the wrong house and shot a mans dog Man did we raise hell with the police dept for months The police dept finally agreed to change there aproach in the futher to dogs
Jan 19, 2013
Big ups to the officer and congrats on finding a great dog!
Jan 19, 2013
Certain groups of people should not be allowed to have a gun, pitbull or rotti, period. My rotti was NOT bred to be ferocious, but he is TO STRANGERS. Got worse after I had him nuetered. Funny huh? Most of his issues with other dogs/people are because he is protecting me. He loves people, but won't allow a stranger within 20 feet of me. He is also fearful and a scared dog can be very dangerous to people. Good boy!! <3
Jan 19, 2013
THE HUMANS are the violent ones. No dog is born vicious. This great guy adopted this sweet dog last year.
Jan 19, 2013
We need this police officer to educate others….he has love in his heart not hate!