Dallas Officer Wants to Adopt Dog Rescued from I-35

A Dallas police officer who rescued a stray dog stranded on Interstate 35E Friday has his sights set on rescuing her once and for all.

Officer John Rogers responded to a call of a roadway obstruction around 9 a.m. along I-35E, just south of Interstate 20.

When he arrived he discovered that the obstruction was a white boxer-pit bull mix lying down alongside the center barrier wall that separates the northbound and southbound lanes.

“I tried to get her to come toward me so she wouldn’t run into traffic. That’s what I was probably most afraid of,” Officer Rogers said.

With little effort, however, Rogers said he was able to coax the dog into the back seat of his police cruiser.

It was then, Rogers said, the dog immediately showed her gratitude.

“She was kinda licking me on my face and I was interacting with her, scratching her behind her ear,” Rogers said. “She didn’t try to snap at me or anything like that. She seemed very affectionate.”

Rogers then snapped a picture of the dog on his camera phone and sent it to his wife, who was at home with the couple’s three other dogs.

His wife then responded, suggesting the officer keep her, Rogers said.

“And since it was the wife’s idea, and it is close to Valentine's [Day], I didn’t want to take a chance on undermining that,” Rogers said with a laugh.

Rogers delivered the dog to Dallas Animal Services headquarters at Westmoreland Road along Interstate 30.

Once there, the officer discussed the option of adopting the dog if an owner does not come forward.

According to animal services, the dog must stay at their facility for three days to allow time for a possible owner to claim the animal. After that, Rogers is free to have her.

“If this helps her get home before we’re allowed to take her to the house, that’ll be great,” Rogers said about the possibility the dog – who he has temporarily named ‘Laurel’ – is claimed by her owners over the weekend.

If no rightful owners emerge?

“We’ll take her home with us. [Make her] part of the family,” Rogers said.

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