It was predawn, and Patrick Hennessey was driving to work in Orange County, Florida, when he spotted the pair huddled on the road.
Hennessey couldn’t make out what they were—just two odd-looking shapes in the middle of the road. So, he slowed down and realized they were two pit bulls. One appeared to be injured, as there was blood on the pavement. The other refused to leave its companion’s side.
Hennessey called the police, and at 4:30 in the morning, two sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene. Officers Boggs and Reed cautiously approached the two dogs. They were nervous at first but seemed to calm down once they understood that the men were there to help.
The officers moved the dogs off the road to safety before anything else.
They saw that the injured pit bull’s leg had a gash. Together, Hennessey and the officers wrapped some gauze and a bandana around it to stop the bleeding and then gave them a snack. The pair, both girls, were grateful.
It was believed that the injured dog had been hit by a vehicle.
They called Orange County Animal Services to come and get the needy dogs. But in the meantime, all the pair really needed was a friend to cuddle with and comfort them while they waited.
The dogs both had collars; it was uncertain what had happened to them, but it seemed like they might have been abandoned.
During the incident, a passerby, identified as Adam, had taken notice of the scene, and impressed with what he saw, he took some photos—which were later sent to the Sheriff’s Office and posted on their Facebook page. Adam complimented the officers for their good deed.
“The deputies stood by with the dogs until Animal Services arrived,” he wrote, “these pictures I took depict a loving nature from our deputies and will tug at any animal lover’s heart strings. Thank you.”
The photos show the two girls, who were named Liberty and Justice, leaning on the officers for comfort.
When Animal Services finally arrived, they were taken to a local shelter, cleaned up, and allowed to rest.
Meanwhile, the post showing the officers soon garnered praise from Facebook users—from pit bull owners in particular, who know how the breed is so misunderstood.
“Thank you so much Deputy Reed and Deputy Boggs,” read another. “When you can extend a helping hand to not just humans, but other creatures as well, it says a great deal about your character.”
“Well done, Deputy Reed and Deputy Boggs,” the Sheriff’s Office added.
