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An elderly dog who nearly froze to death in a ditch is alive and well thanks to the actions of a sheriff’s deputy.
On Saturday, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, in Maine, responded to a call about a dog in dire need of help, according to a Facebook post from the department.
Deputy Mark Anderson arrived on the scene, in the town of Arrowsic, and began searching for the dog. He searched in nearby ditches, and found an elderly female dog who appeared “almost frozen to death.”
The poor 14-year-old dog had clearly been trying to escape, but was trapped in the freezing ditch in single-digit weather.
“There were claw marks where she had attempted to climb out of the ditch before her paw got too cold,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Deputy Anderson approached the dog, and she whimpered heavily and held her paw up as if asking for help. He picked the dog up and drove her in his police cruiser to a nearby dispatch center.
Dispatchers cared for the dog by warming her up with blankets and a portable heater. They also gave her food, and say the hungry dog “ate the plate clean” once she stopped shivering.
Deputy Anderson then made lost dog flyers and began knocking on doors in the area, hoping to locate the owner. Thankfully, the owner was soon found: Anderson discovered that the dog had escaped at 9 pm the night before.
The dog’s owner, described as an elderly female, reportedly stayed up all night waiting for the dog to return. The two were soon reunited.
The sheriff’s office praised the actions of Deputy Anderson as well as Communications Specialists Shaun and Dori. “The efforts of these three Sagadahoc County employees, without a doubt, saved the life of this precious pet,” the office wrote on Facebook.
The story went viral on social media and many people have praised the employees for their life-saving actions.
It’s heartbreaking to think this poor elderly dog spent the night in a cold ditch, but we’re so glad she’s safe, warm and back with her owner now! Thank you to everyone who helped save this sweet dog!
Please share this incredible news! 🐾❤️
