A dog that Temple University police officers found emaciated and abandoned on a dangerously hot day in North Philadelphia has found a loving foster home.
Temple police officers Arashdeep Bawa and Heru Shabazz rescued the dog, who was seen wandering around North Philadelphia on a recent sweltering summer day.
“We were out on patrol when a resident flagged us down to report a stray dog,” Bawa said. “He looked hungry and thirsty. And me being an animal lover, I had to do something,” Bawa told CBS Philadelphia.
That’s when he called for Officer Duda, who rushed to them with food and water.
“After eating and drinking, she just came back to life,” Officer Shabazz told KYW Newsradio. “She’s jumping all over me, listening to his commands, playing with the other dogs. It was good to see.”
“It was a good team effort,’ Duda said to NBC Philadelphia.
Since the dog was found at 18th and Diamond streets, the officers decided to call her Diamond. They then transported her to ACCT (Animal Care & Control Team) Philly, where she got a good bill of health.
Just two days later, an adopter from Rittenhouse Square picked Diamond up from ACCT and is now taking care of her. The foster, Barbara Garcia, said she recently finished her medical residency in Philadelphia and had been looking for a four-legged friend. When Garcia saw a social media post about Diamond looking for a home, she quickly jumped at the opportunity.
“Diamond is doing great, she’s awesome!” Garcia said. “She’s very easy to train, great in the house, and very cuddly and sweet.”
The 2-year-old, 68-pound pooch has some growing to do. Garcia said Diamond is currently underweight. But Garcia is making sure she is giving Diamond plenty to eat—as well as plenty of well-deserved love and attention.
“I really hope to keep Diamond if we are a good match,” Garcia said, adding that she also appreciates the work of the Temple University Police Department.
“I want to thank the Temple University police officers for all of your work,” Garcia said. “To pick up a stray off the streets of Philadelphia is not an easy task. I appreciate them having empathy and it means a lot.”
Police Chief and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin agreed.
“I am so proud of our police officers’ compassion and care of Diamond. This is just one example of great police work that happens every day within TUPD, and it’s these acts of kindness that serve as a reminder of why we are in this profession: To protect and serve—both human, and sometimes canine,” Griffin said.
Garcia also said she plans to keep the name Diamond because “she just looks like a little gem!”
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