“Vicious” pit bull grabs heart of Baltimore cop
Courtesy of the blog ModifiedK9, and courtesy of Dan Waskiewicz, here’s a police officer meets pit bull story with the best kind of ending.
Modified K9 is a pit bull-loving group in Pennsylvania that works to improve the image and future of pit bulls through education, training, rescuing, rehabilitating, rehoming.
Dan Waskiewicz is a Baltimore police officer, who wrote Modified K9 a letter about his experience a few months back responding to a vicious dog call in the city.
Here’s his note:
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 alley 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.
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.
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…”
That new home was with Waskiewicz, where the pit bull, now named Bo, resides with his other dogs.
His act drew praise from Modified K9, and lots of commenters.
“Instead of assuming the dog to be vicious and shoot it dead, (as we see so many times before) he analyzes the situation, and sees a nervous dog that needs help,” the blog post reads. “Instead of letting animal control pick up the dog, and let it disappear, or be put down, he personally takes it to a shelter, IN HIS CRUISER!!! Finally, he offers the pup a new forever home!”
We couldn’t agree more: Dan is the man.
(Photos: Dan Waskiewicz, via ModifiedK9)
Posted by jwoestendiek July 18th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: account, adopted, animals, baltimore, blog, call, city, dan waskiewicz, dogs, image, law enforcement, modified k9, modifiedk9, note, officer, perceptions, pets, pit bull, pit bulls, pitbulls, police, rescue, shelters, stereotypes, vicious, vicious dog
Comments
Comment from KateH
Time July 18, 2012 at 10:45 am
How absolutely wonderful to see a good cop being a good guy for a dog! The world needs lots more cops like Officer Dan!
Comment from debbie
Time July 18, 2012 at 11:40 am
wonderful story
Comment from daphne Thomas
Time July 18, 2012 at 2:39 pm
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! lol. Make sure he is socialized well with other dogs..doggie daycares around you perhaps?
Comment from James Lewis
Time July 18, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Awesome story!
Comment from Donna@petsgalorestore.com
Time July 18, 2012 at 5:52 pm
What a great story, the police force is lucky to have you!
Comment from Davis
Time July 21, 2012 at 10:04 am
Animal Control would have taken it to the same shelter that he took it to…. and if the dog “was originally kept outside and was filthy” then it means that it did have a home. Why would the dog’s owner suddenly want to surrender his dog? I hope it wasn’t b/c he felt intimidated by a cop who clearly wanted the dog for himself.
Maybe this guy wasn’t taking the best care of his dog, but that’s what Animal Control is for – they go and help educate owners about proper care for their animals.
If the saying is true that owners make pit bulls mean, this pit bull was clearly not vicious, so the former owner must have treated it kindly — if not providing the cleanest, most humane living environment.
Comment from Julie Stack
Time July 21, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Very inspiring, Officer Dan is a hero!
Comment from theresa Kolpakova
Time July 23, 2012 at 6:18 pm
You are such a compassionate example for all police officers to follow. Every animal deserves to be treated with understanding and dignity. Thanks for being out there for the animals and helping to show others that we all could use a little extra help and kindness sometimes!



























































Comment from Kris Easton
Time July 18, 2012 at 9:38 am
Officer Dan should make a Facebook page for Bo..His caring and compassion has made the public look at officers and pit bulls in a different light..I think people would love to be able to go to Bo’s page and see how he and his new family are doing…