Recently, CAP’s jack-of-all-trades agents came to the rescue of two furry friends.

Agent Steve West, who works the southern end of the CAP system, was driving down an operations and maintenance (O&M) road when a four-legged explorer caught his eye.

“This little guy was just running along the O&M road in Picture Rocks,” said West. “He jumped right in my truck when I stopped … mud and all.”

Fortunately, this friendly hitchhiker had a tag with his owner’s information and West was able to safely deliver him home.

Just a day later, Agent Aaron Victor found himself in the middle of a much busier rescue. While working along the canal near Lake Pleasant Parkway, he spotted a large rottweiler in traffic. Other drivers were swerving to avoid the loose dog, so Victor safely intervened, helping the dog to safety and waiting with him until Peoria Police Animal Control could arrive. The rottweiler had no tags, but did have a chip — so hopefully a reunion with its owner is just around the corner.

While CAP agents don’t respond to animal calls as part of their daily duties, it’s not unusual for them to encounter the occasional dog on the lamb, and those who have current tags are always the easiest to return home. These two back-to-back rescues are a reminder that looking out for the community sometimes includes our four-legged neighbors.