Cop Rescues Puppy Trapped in Septic Drain and Adopts Him

Deputy Troy Glover of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Florida was completing an eviction at a home in the 3500 block of Sloan Road in Fort Pierce when he heard faint whimpering coming from behind the house. Upon investigation, he discovered a tiny puppy trapped in a muddy, sewage-filled drain. The drain was a couple of feet deep, and the puppy had been struggling to keep its head above the dirty water.
When Deputy Glover approached, the frightened puppy became agitated. He called for backup from Officer David Gettings, who arrived with a catch pole to safely pull the pup out of the muck. Once freed, the puppy was taken to the Humane Society of St. Lucie County for care. The staff bathed the smelly, muddy puppy multiple times and checked for pneumonia, hypothermia, and infections. Thankfully, the puppy was found to be in good health, despite his ordeal, and was neutered and vaccinated.
Public Information Officer David Lynch from the Humane Society noted, “We were concerned about potential psychological issues, as puppies abandoned in such conditions sometimes show signs of distress. But Puddles was resilient and cheerful.”
After a thorough examination, the Humane Society determined that the puppy, now named Puddles, was just a few months old. Puddles quickly became a favorite at the shelter, with his positive attitude and playful nature. Lynch added, “We’ve rescued dogs from garbage compactors and trash, but finding one in a septic drain is quite rare.”
The Sheriff’s Office shared Puddles’ story on their Facebook page, featuring a photo of the puppy trapped in the drain. The Department of Health is working with the landlord to cover up the septic drain to prevent future incidents.
Since no previous owner was found, Officer Gettings took Puddles into foster care. After bonding with the puppy, Gettings decided to adopt him. Now, Puddles is part of a loving family that includes Gettings, his wife Rachael, their 2-year-old daughter Evelyn, and their basset hound, Lacie.
Gettings described Puddles as a laid-back companion who enjoys lounging around the house. “He’s a happy addition to our family,” he said.