By Tony Fuller, KTVZ.COM | http://www.ktvz.com | Posted: Aug 7, 2008 05:51 PM
Bend Police Officer Crea Lancaster says on a normal day, about 40 percent of their cases involve animal control cases. But Thursday was anything but normal.
It was an early start to a crazy day for Lancaster. When the thunder rolls, Lancaster is on the streets, looking for runaway pets.
"We do a lot of things - primarily about 60 percent of what we deal with is criminal related and 40 percent animal related," he said.
An early-morning thunderstorm had Lancaster receiving phone call after phone call of strays dogs all over the Westside of Bend.
"On a day like today, the thunderstorm went right over Bend and it created havoc for us, because including lightning strikes into trees, including one medical issue that happened as a result of one of those lightning strikes," he said.
"The dogs were also loose, getting out of yards, and we had one dog hit that required a transport from one of us to the vet," Lancaster added.
It's something that keeps Lancaster's vehicle full of pets, and the kennels at the Humane Society of Central Oregon crowded.
"When people go to work and a thunderstorm rolls through, dogs don't know what to do," Lancaster said. "A lot of them are very afraid, and they feel trapped. They don't have anywhere to go, they don't understand what's happening, and so they run."
So the next time you hear thunder or see lightning, Lancaster has a request.
"When they know that a thunderstorm is happening, if it's possible to put them inside, put them in a garage, or tether them up in a manner that they can't escape from yards," the officer said. "It's always a better idea then letting them go like they normally do."
For more tips on how to protect your pets and keep them from running during severe weather, you can find a link to the Humane Society's website in the community links section at KTVZ.COM.