Adopted puppy becomes Chicago’s newest cop

Earlier this year, Pantera was just another abandoned dog sitting in one of the 600 kennels at the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League. The young black Labrador retriever had been surrendered to the shelter after his owner’s landlord banned pets from the building where they lived.

Then Officer Steve Martinez of the Chicago Police Department started hanging around the dog’s cage. Actually the officer came to visit Pantera at the suggestion of the animal shelter to see if the department had any interest in using the dog.

Martinez made four separate trips to observe the temperament of the11-month-old pup. Then based on Pantera’s “high degree of maturity and strong drive” he paid the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League the $98 adoption fee and made the puppy his new partner.

On November 5th, the now 16-month-old lab was introduced to the public in a press conference as the city’s newest and youngest certified narcotics detection canine. He and Officer Martinez have been assigned to the Chicago Police Department’s Organized Crime Division. During all of the excitement at his historical debut, Pantera calmly laid across the stage contentedly chewing on a big red ball.

Over the past several months Pantera has undergone “a rigorous curriculum of narcotics detection techniques,” police said at the press conference. According to Martinez the young dog caught on right away to the idea of “putting his nose to the ground looking for drugs.”

Pantera actually started working the streets in his new job with partner Martinez last month. Together they have already recovered evidence in a drug case and helped carry out several search warrants.

Based on his exceptional performance the Chicago Police Department plans to make the adoption of rescued dogs a new trend when they are recruiting police canines. Before this new policy the department turned to expensive breeders for their dogs.

“Our canine unit is a critical asset for the Narcotics Section. As staunch supporters of canines, we view this as a win-win situation – the department gets an excellent canine partner, and Chicago Ridge finds a good home for Pantera,” said Deputy Superintendent Steve Peterson.

The Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League is very proud of Pantera. “It just goes to show that shelter dogs have so much potential,” said Terri Sparks who is the Public Relations Director for the shelter. She hopes other law enforcement agencies catch on to the idea, as well.

Pantera and Officer Martinez will remain a team for the next 10 years. Then Pantera will retire from the Chicago Police force and live out the rest of his life with the Martinez family.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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gerlinde p.

4:36AM PST on Jan 3, 2010

great news, wish more dogs get a chance to show how great hey are.

send a green star

Lilith G.

11:33AM PST on Nov 25, 2009

Awww! =)

Sam B.

7:29AM PST on Nov 17, 2009

Awww this is a lovely story after reading about the tragic case of Oreo *sob*

Just goes to show how important a bit of love and affection can be :) Every dog in a rescue home is a potential family member, and sadly most of them never get the chance that lucky Pantera did :(

Past Member .

7:32PM PST on Nov 16, 2009

Read this one after reading about oreo's demise. Glad I did as it has a nice ending and a beginning for more worth while rescued dogs. Even senior dogs can be trained for companion pets for those house bound (volunteers walk the dogs). Companion animals are not considered pets but are a new service animal. I wish our President and Vice President had gone to animal shelters to get their dogs. It would have shown the nation that these animals are worth every bit as much as one gotten from a breeder. Maybe some day our leaders will realize their roles have a lot of influence and would be very helpful with regards helping animals in shelters. Just like this story will help in many ways.

Linda G.

8:48AM PST on Nov 14, 2009

What a wonderful article, we need more of these happy ending, feel-good stories! And kudos to Officer Martinez for giving Pantera the chance to prove himself, what a great partnership :)

Marcy B.

8:39AM PST on Nov 14, 2009

Thank God a dog has been saved!

Maria Rendon H.

1:47PM PST on Nov 13, 2009

Way to go Pantera so proud of you and thank you Officer Martinez you have given a chance to your partner for a long and happy life.

Heather O.

12:37PM PST on Nov 13, 2009

That is beautiful. It is indeed a win-win situation.

Latonya W.

10:30AM PST on Nov 13, 2009

This is the BEST news I recieved for the day...

Clara B.

5:16AM PST on Nov 13, 2009

I've had many dogs, almost all were rescues, mutts. The only 'papered' dog I ever had was a beautiful Collie, named Sweet Molly McGruder. She had been bred for that long sharp nose and she was great looking but her little head couldn't have held a brain the size of a peanut. I loved her and wouldn't take back a minute of her 15 year lifetime but she cost me a ton of money at the vet's. See to it that your mutts get all his shots and he can eat all the carpet in the living room and nothing happens but a big burp. Mutts rule, and be happy in heaven, Sweet Molly.