Panhandling pooches apprehended after pursuit, tense stand off, successful negotiation

Today’s lighter side of the news…

 

Thursday morning commuters traveling on Bechelli Lane – who were already dealing with rain-slicked roads and heavier than usual traffic congestion – were treated to an interesting sight when an officer went in pursuit of a pair of panhandling pooches. The incident began after the officer spotted the hungry hounds loitering suspiciously around businesses and begging for handouts.

The duo was apprehended following a brief standoff after officials negotiated their safe capture, much to the delight of motorists and other witnesses.

The chase caused a short but memorable traffic nightmare for those who witnessed the harrowing ordeal and subsequent apprehension.

In a social media post, Redding Police officials described the “hot pursuit” and subsequent standoff after receiving questions and comments from the public regarding the incident. Redding PD’s post has been shared on Facebook nearly 200 times and has received hundreds more reactions as well as dozens of comments.

According to officials, the incident began about 9:15 a.m., after the officer spotted the two begging for scraps and handouts while rummaging through area trash bins.

In spite of the pouring rain, when the officer attempted to contact the pair they immediately fled on foot. With the officer hot on the eight heels of the runaway rascals the pair fled down busy Bechelli Lane.

As if they were playing a game of tag, the playful pooches refused to be taken into custody without making a run from Johnnie Law – hoping for just a few more minutes of food-fueled freedom.

“These two were very determined to get away,” officials described, saying the officer was eventually able to chase down the dogs. “Luckily, we were able to corner them,” officials explained.

In spite of being backed into a figurative fugitive corner, the rowdy runners refused to be apprehended, leading to a brief standoff while officials formulated a plan to reign in the rambunctious runaways.

After requesting back up and additional resources, officers at the scene engaged in tense negotiations with the wary wanderers, in an effort to gain their trust and get them to accept the help being offered to them.

After negotiating for a few minutes, the burger bandits gave up “on the promise of some water and a good scratch behind the ears,” said officials.

Although it was initially believed that the fleeing Fidos had possibly been involved in a grab and run theft of several sausage links the previous evening, officials later determined the pair of panhandling pooches did not match the description of the prior-night’s hot dog-thieving hound dogs.

Officials decided to publicize the pair’s apprehension after their owners could not be found and they made preparations for the dogs to be turned over to Haven Humane Society where they were expected to be held until their owners were found.

After officials released information about the apprehension, many took to social media to thank the officers who were instrumental in the safe and successful capture.

Some speculated on social media about the pair’s motive for fleeing and one area resident, Miriam Potts wrote, “Some dogs will do anything for a ride in a police unit.”

Doelawn Feenor later updated on the Facebook post that the dog’s owners had been located and animal control officers had released the doggy duo at the scene.

The pair later woofed their appreciation for the way officers handled their safe capture and admitted they had really just wanted to meet and get photos with one of their heroes, K-9 Njord from RPD’s K-9 Unit.

 

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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.