Daily Paws Courtesy of Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chance shows off a happy smile with Sheriff Carmine Marceno of the Lee County Sherrif’s Office.
“Deputy Chance helps to spread our zero-tolerance policy for animal abuse. He’s also the goodwill ambassador for the School District of Lee County,” Marceno says.
In this role, Deputy Chance works with Lieutenant Richard Castellon in the community response unit, visiting hospitals, schools, and clubs. During most appearances, they share the story of this dog’s amazing transformation and spread awareness about shelter dog adoption, along with educational material about animal abuse.
Found in appalling circumstances, the sweet rescue pooch has transformed into the perfect spokesdog to help prevent animals from suffering like he did.
Because of his inspirational tale and dogged advocacy, Deputy Chance is a finalist for the American Humane 2021 Hero Dog Awards, airing Wednesday, October 20 on Hallmark Drama.
Dogs Making a Difference
Chance isn’t the only proud pooch with a badge in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. You may have heard about Gunner, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel who was saved by his owner from the jaws of an alligator. As another Deputy Dog member, Gunner helps build awareness about wildlife safety.
Sheriff Marceno believes Chance, now 3, is the perfect spokesdog to help prevent animals from suffering like he did. “Together, we have created a brand that puts abusers in jail and educates the public on animal cruelty,” Marceno says. “I hope Deputy Chance and my Animal Cruelty Task Force encourages other law enforcement agencies from all over to join us in our fight against animal abuse.”
So far, the partnership seems to be working. The Naples Daily News reported in June 2021 that Chance’s abuser, Oscar Lee Thompson III, was found guilty in 2020 of aggravated animal abuse and sentenced to five years of probation.
A necessary swift paw of justice, to be sure.
In this time of nearly all the news being either frustrating, anger-inducing, or simply more democrat insanity, it’s hard to dislike a rags-to-riches dog story, right?
God speed to Deputy Chance and to the efforts of Sheriff Marceno and his force.
