Police Departments Nab Awards For Saving Animals During Hurricane Dorian

PETA Honors Officers for Rescuing Turtles, Kittens, and a Puppy

For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2019

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

Orlando, Fla. –

Compassionate Police Department Awards are on their way from PETA to the following police departments for their work rescuing animals during Hurricane Dorian:

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, after Sgt. Greg Tietje discovered a sea turtle in a bathroom at Mala Compra Beach and carried the displaced animal—along with four others he and additional officers came across on the way—back to the water
The Daytona Beach Police Department, after two officers responding to a call from a concerned resident rescued a couple of drenched kittens trapped between two fences
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office, after Deputy Josh Tolliver pulled a puppy out of an abandoned, flooded car—and then adopted her

“Animals are unable to fend for themselves when hurricanes and other emergencies strike, so these brave officers stepped in and got them to safety,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes their heroic actions will inspire people to come to the aid of any animals in need, especially during life-threatening natural disasters.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—reminds all animal guardians to have an emergency plan for their animal companions ahead of hurricanes and other natural disasters and not to leave animals behind in evacuations. Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help should note their locations and alert authorities immediately. More information is provided in PETA’s hurricane-preparedness public service announcement.

Each police department will receive a framed certificate and boxes of delicious vegan cookies.

PETA opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.