A Tempe, Arizona, police officer not only thwarted a husky’s midnight escape attempt at a pet shelter but also stayed to clean up the mess the pup left behind.
The officer, who wished to remain anonymous, initially responded to alarms at Lost Our Home Pet Rescue near 24th Street and Hardy Drive.
The alarms were not triggered by an actual break-in but by a husky named King who decided it was time for a midnight snack.
The dog’s escapade, caught on camera, turned into a viral sensation that led to heartwarming actions by the officer.
Lost Our Home Pet Rescue founder and CEO Jodi Polanski described the moment when the alarm went off. “It was like, you know, 12 o’clock, 1 o’clock in the morning, and I immediately looked to see what was going on and couldn’t find anything happening, and then I saw the mess, and I was like, oh my God,” she said.
King, determined to make the most of his freedom, not only broke out of his kennel but also attempted to liberate his fellow canine companions.
After skillfully opening a closed door, the mischievous dog indulged in food and drinks, creating a mess that caught the attention of Tempe Police.
“The police actually came because he set the alarm off, and it kept going off over and over again,” Polanski explained.
The officer on the scene, affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Clean,” not only returned King to his kennel, but also took the initiative of cleaning up after him.
“I was looking at the footage the next morning. 2 in the morning. I’m like, how is that possible? I had no idea the officer was going to clean up, and I saw it, and I was just like, wow, amazing man that he did that,” Polanski said.
The video footage, released recently for the shelter’s annual fundraiser, “Sit, Stay, Brunch,” showcased King’s adventure.
The Tempe Police’s 24-hour access to the shelter, due to a partnership, allowed them to respond promptly to the security alarm.
“Not only does this officer handle the situation like a pro, but he even cleaned the mess,” said the voiceover of the video posted on the shelter’s YouTube channel. “He did not have to do that.”
King has since become a viral sensation, and the shelter used the video to raise funds for the upcoming year.
Since the incident in November, King has found a forever home, bringing a happy ending to the story.
