Caloocan SWAT dog found

Will the real PO2 Sarah please stand up?

The bomb-sniffing dog of the Caloocan City Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) that strayed from her kennel last week finally turned up yesterday.

The problem was that two female Belgian Malinois dogs showed up at two police stations. Fortunately, the handler was around to identify the real Sarah.

One of the dogs was presented on behalf of Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo at the Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS), and the other by Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice at the Northern Police District Office (NPDO) at separate press conferences yesterday.

Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID) chief, together with K-9 owner-handler Jojo Rodis presented to reporters what they claimed was the missing female Belgian and SWAT bomb squad mainstay.

About an hour later, Erice, together with NPDO chief Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., presented another Belgian Malinois, though younger and smaller.

Rodis and the junior police officers had earlier offered a P10,000 reward for the return of Sarah, who escaped from the kennel last week.

Borromeo said a Ding Librado had seen the missing dog as early as last week in the neighborhood.

He said Librado heard a report over the radio citing a STAR report about the missing SWAT dog and that a reward had been offered for her return.

The dog was found wandering at a grassy area in Bagumbong near the kennel. Sarah had mosquito bites and scratches, including an ugly gash across her long, black snout.

At the time she escaped, thunder unsettled her and drove her to run to the field, Rodis said. He said the dog is trained to search for the source of gunshots.

Erice, on the other hand said his "Sarah" was turned over to him by a Joel de la Cruz, who claimed he got it from his brother, Rogelio, 35.

"If no one claims her, we will donate it to the NPDO. I will be glad to shoulder the maintenance cost of the dog," the congressman said.

All’s well that ends well. The SWAT team is finally reunited with Sarah and may end up with a new recruit.

"This is a blessing to the NPDO. We are glad that two dogs have been found. But we are willing to give her back if there is a legitimate claim," Franco said.