A touching narrative emerged when a Detroit Police Department official saved a distressed Pit Bull abandoned on a porch amid frigid temperatures.
Officer Eric McCombs became a hero through his heartwarming gesture of kindness, as he selflessly rescued this unfortunate animal from her frozen situation.
It’s truly tragic to consider that an individual could abandon such a gentle being to endure suffering in bitter cold, which regrettably happens all too frequently in the Detroit region.
Luckily, devoted individuals like officer McCombs make sure that stories of sanctuary and solidarity continue to thrive, even during such tough times.
Abandoned Pit Bull In -20° Windchill
While on patrol in the dead of night, Officer McCombs encountered a distressed dog outside in the severe cold, ensnared by a chain that had tangled on a porch.
As an avid dog lover, this officer did not hesitate to save this precious pup.
“When I approached her, I thought, ‘This cannot be happening.’ I didn’t contemplate; it was purely instinctive, ‘I must rescue this dog,’” officer McCombs shared with The Dodo.
On that specific night in Detroit, the wind chill fell to -20 degrees – an extraordinarily cruel condition for any dog to endure outside for any length of time.
“I felt anger because it was deliberate. Who could do something like this? Someone thought, ‘I’m going to chain this dog to a porch and abandon her while she’s entirely underfed,’” officer McCombs remarked.
The unfortunate dog was not only enduring the cold but also suffered from hunger. She eagerly devoured the treats they provided, underscoring her urgent need for sustenance and warmth.
A glance at her condition revealed that it was clear she hadn’t eaten for a significant duration.
Once they freed her from the porch, she exhibited both fear and joy at finally being liberated. She promptly leaped into the police vehicle.
“She had frostbite on her ears’ tips. My partner and I managed to get her into the car, then we were just left wondering, ‘What’s the next step?’ We ultimately took her to an animal shelter,” McCombs recounted.
They brought the dog to Detroit Animal Care and Control.
However, one of the officers found it difficult to push her from his thoughts.
Joyful New Beginnings
During her time at the shelter, Officer McCombs couldn’t stop thinking about how she deserved better than just being confined to a kennel.
She deserved a fulfilling life. But, who would make that happen for her?
It didn’t take long for officer McCombs to realize he had developed a fondness for this wonderful little girl – whom he named Sweet Pea – and he made the decision to officially adopt her.
He contacted Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue for assistance, and this is what they conveyed in their Facebook post:
“One of the officers couldn’t stop thinking about her, so he reached out to us, and today we went and pulled her. We are going to take care of all her medical needs, and afterwards, she will be adopted by her hero… DPD Officer McCombs!”
Eric already had another dog [Homer], but in his heart, he realized he could not let this little girl down. “It was a special moment. More food, more vet visits, more everything. I had to do it,” McCombs stated.
Upon her arrival at her new residence, Sweet Pea was unsure how to act as an indoor dog. She refrained from jumping on the couch or the bed, and wouldn’t even touch peanut butter.
She merely required some time, and that’s precisely what she received.
In time, Sweet Pea began to embrace the delights of her new environment, relishing the affection and care that enveloped her.
Now, she is enjoying her new idyllic existence, with her previous life on the harsh streets of Detroit becoming a distant recollection.
A True Hero
Sweet Pea is not the sole dog officer McCombs has salvaged from the streets of Detroit.
He actively rescues dogs wherever he travels, acting as a genuine symbol of hope for many forsaken and neglected canines.
“Why not rescue Pit Bulls while serving as a police officer?” he pondered, and I could not agree more – why not, indeed?
Thank you, Officer Eric McCombs, for everything you’ve accomplished for these innocent furry beings. Your empathy and commitment significantly enhance their lives.
“We are immensely proud to have Officer McCombs as a member of our team and grateful that he is an officer who goes above and beyond to assist the voiceless animals that require a hero,” Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue stated.