Officer Comforts Injured Dog for Two Hours—and Shares His Lunch

When Officer Samuel Lopez of the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Police Department responded to a “loose animal call” early one morning, he found what appeared to be a young Rottweiler by the side of the road.

What happened next has won the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. Rather than call animal control and move on, Lopez stayed with the pup for the next two hours, comforting her. Recognizing that she was scared, likely injured—since she refused to move—and hungry, he shared his lunch with her, spoon-feeding her and giving her water from his thermal bottle.

When an officer with Rutherford County Pet Animal Welfare Services eventually arrived, it was clear the dog was still unable to walk. So Lopez gently picked her up and carried her to the vehicle so she could be taken to a veterinarian.

The City of Murfreesboro later shared the story and bodycam footage online, writing, “This is what public service looks like — empathy, patience, and heart.”

“Officer Lopez and his wife are unable to have children — and because of that, he’s developed a deep compassion for dogs,” the City continued. “To him, they’re more than pets. They’re family.”

Officer Lopez himself explained: “Dogs have filled a that role in my life where I feel as if they are children of my own. Regardless of nay animal being injured on the side of the road, if there’s hope, I’ll stick by their side until they get better.

He added, “Dogs have been a big impact in my life ever since I was a kid. WHen I got older, that’s when I truly understood the meaning of “a man’s best friend.”

Later on, it was confirmed that the dog does, in fact, have a family. The City of Murfreesboro provided the update: “Happy tears! Rutherford County PAWS tells us that ‘Deja’ has been reunited with her human family! Thank you, Officer Lopez for being there when Deja was needing a friend and a meal!”