Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/gunner-deputy-dog/
Not too long ago, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy Gunner was facing death in the jaws of a hungry alligator. Were it not for his cigar-chomping human strong arming the gator into submission, Gunner’s story would have ended there.
As millions who saw the viral rescue video already know, Gunner survived. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office saw the video, too, and commended the 4-month-old puppy for his tenacity and fight for survival.”
The department has since made Gunner part of the Deputy Dogs, Pets on Patrol program.
74-year-old Richard Wilbanks saved Gunner from an alligator.
“Gunner wins the battle against the alligator,” said Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told First Coast News. “And for that, it’s a happy day. Gunner gets a gold shield.”
Today, he’s helping Florida’s Lee Country Sheriff’s Office teach kids about staying safe.
And that includes around alligators.
Gunner receives his “gold shield” from Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
Gunner’s program will cover, “school bus safety, safety as it relates to the water — alligators in the pond, toads, cane toads. Any types of danger that children face every day,” Carmine Dellaquilla with the Deputy Dogs program.
Gunner’s owner, 74-year-old Richard Wilbanks, said Gunner should be able to address a room full of school children with ease after having surviced the gator attack.
“We’re looking so forward to the program and meeting people and he’s going to be a good representative,” he said.
Gunner will be helping children in Florida learn about safety.
According to FOX 13, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is an animal lover himself. Marceno adopted a dog named Chance in March 2019. Chance was found abandoned with its mouth taped shut, but has flourished under Marceno’s care, and now serves as the department’s “spokes-dog.”
Learn more in the video below.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
