Heroic K9 Receives PETA Award for Saving Life of 6-Year-Old Trapped in Manhole

Dog Honored With Goody Bag for Alerting Police to Child’s Distress

For Immediate Release:
December 9, 2014

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

When 6-year-old Kollin Bailey failed to come home from flying his kite in an empty retention pond, his mother called police in a panic. Kollin—who had broken his arm in a fall through an uncovered manhole—couldn’t be heard by nearby officers until bloodhound police K9 Copper led Sgt. Shane Matheson of the West Valley City Police Department straight to the scene. To recognize Copper’s actions, PETA is sending the police department a Heroic Dog Award and a “doggie” bag containing an eco-friendly squeaky toy, a Nylabone, and a box of vegan dog treats.

“Dogs are known to go to courageous lengths to help their human friends, and this smart and tenacious K9 is no exception,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA hopes his story will remind all dog guardians to return their companions’ affection with walks, toys, and love and to treat them as beloved members of the family.”

PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way,” encourages anyone with the time, willingness, ability, and resources to care for a dog properly to adopt from a shelter, rather than contributing to the homeless-animal crisis by buying from a breeder or a pet store.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.