NJ Police Officer Drives 650 Miles To Return Dog To Owner
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey police officer made a 650-mile journey from Monmouth County to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to return a dog to its owner.
Wall Township Ptl. Frank Kuhl, of Howell, was called to the aid of a 34-year-old man in need of medical attention as he was traveling in his vehicle on July 15. The Myrtle Beach man was traveling with Bella, his basset hound, at the time of the incident.
Bella was taken into the custody of the Monmouth County Humane Society as her owner received medical care. The organization said they would keep Bella for a week before putting her up for adoption.
A week later, the victim was still unable to retrieve his dog, and Bella's co-owner was unable to get up to New Jersey from Myrtle Beach to take her home.
That's when Ptl. Kuhl stepped up to the plate.
"It pulled on my heartstrings a little bit," Ptl. Kuhl told CBSNewYork.com. "I have two dogs at home, and I got a vibe that this guy feels the same way about dogs that I do."
Ptl. Kuhl took Bella into temporary custody and arranged with the dog's co-owners to drive the pup back to Myrtle Beach.
"My whole family pitched in a lot during that time," Ptl. Kuhl said. "Bella got along great with everyone."
On Aug 4., Ptl. Kuhl, along with squad mate Ptl. Michael Tancredi, made the nearly 650-mile drive down the Eastern seaboard, finally getting Bella back home.
"As soon as she [the co-owner] opened the door, she was so excited," Ptl. Kuhl said. "She was calling to all her other dogs; 'Bella's home!' 'Bella's home!'"
Ptl. Kuhl says its an experience he won't forget.
"I felt like we built a lot of memories," Ptl. Kuhl said.
