A truly touching story emerged from Detroit when an officer from the Detroit Police Department came to the aid of a Pit Bull left abandoned on a porch in freezing temperatures.
Officer Eric McCombs emerged as a hero through his heartfelt and selfless act, rescuing this vulnerable animal from its harsh condition.
Our hearts sink when we think that someone could abandon such a loving creature to suffer in the bitter cold. But this is a common situation in Detroit every winter.
Thankfully, there are still many good people like Officer McCombs who can prove that kindness and rescue shine through even in the most challenging situations.
Poor Pit Bull Left Out in -20° Windchill.
On a bitterly cold night, while patrolling, Officer McCombs discovered a dog in severe distress, tethered by a chain on a porch.
As an ardent lover of dogs, this officer acted immediately without a second thought.
“When I approached her, I thought, ‘This can’t be happening.’ I didn’t hesitate; I knew I had to save this dog,” Officer McCombs shared with The Dodo.
The night in Detroit saw the windchill plummet to -20 degrees—an exceptionally harsh environment for any dog to endure outdoors for extended periods.
“I was angry because it was intentional. Who could do this? Somebody had the thought of, ‘I’m gonna chain this dog to a porch and leave her there while she’s completely malnourished,” McCombs expressed.
The poor animal was freezing and desperately hungry. She gratefully devoured the treats offered, indicating her dire need for food and warmth.
Her emaciated state made it clear she had been deprived of nourishment for a long time.
Once freed from the porch, she was both terrified and overjoyed to be liberated. She quickly leaped into the police vehicle.
“She had frostbite on the tips of her ears. My partner and I got her in the car, and then we were just like, ‘What do we do from here?’ We ended up having to take her to an animal shelter,” McCombs recounted.
They transported the dog to Detroit Animal Care and Control.
Yet, one officer could not stop thinking about her.
A New Beginning
During her stay at the shelter, Officer McCombs couldn’t shake the feeling that she deserved more than just a kennel crate.
She deserved a loving home, but who would provide that?
It didn’t take long for Officer McCombs to realize he had fallen deeply in love with this sweet little girl—now named Sweet Pea—and chose to adopt her.
He reached out to Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue for assistance, and they shared this update on their Facebook page:
“One of the officers couldn’t stop thinking about her, so he reached out to us, and today we went and pulled her. We are going to be taking care of all of her medical needs, and then she will be adopted by her hero… DPD Officer McCombs!”
Eric already had one dog, Homer, but knew in his heart he had to save this little girl. “It was a special moment. Double the food, double the vet, double whatever. I had to,” McCombs said.
When Sweet Pea first arrived at her new home, she was unsure about indoor life. She wouldn’t jump on the couch or bed or even enjoy peanut butter.
She needed time, and that’s precisely what she received.
In no time, Sweet Pea began to revel in her new life, embracing the love and care surrounding her.
Now, she’s living a dream life, with her old dark days on the streets of Detroit becoming a distant memory.
Many Acts of Kindness
Sweet Pea is not the only canine Officer McCombs has saved from the streets of Detroit.
He is known for rescuing dogs wherever he goes, embodying hope for many neglected and abandoned animals.
“Why not rescue Pit Bulls and serve as a police officer at the same time?” he mused, and I wholeheartedly agree—why not?
Thank you, Officer Eric McCombs, for your remarkable dedication to these innocent, furry souls. Your compassion and commitment make a profound difference in their lives.
“We are so proud to have Officer McCombs as a part of our team and thankful that he is an officer that goes above and beyond to help the voiceless animals that need a hero,” said Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue.
