Cops, Firefighters Make Up Rescue Group Saving Dogs From The Streets

ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — Because protecting and serving the community and saving people's lives was not enough, several Orange County police officers and firefighters have formed an innovative rescue group to save the animals they encounter on the streets as they do their jobs.

The 2-year-old Ghetto Rescue Foundation got its name by people in the community who were happy to see animals rescued from the streets, LAPD Sgt. Tami Baumann said.

"And they would say, 'oh, good, you're getting them out of the ghetto,'" Baumann said.

Ghetto Rescue is made up of cops, firefighters and volunteers who, in the course of their daily lives, com across sick and neglected dogs. The rescue group takes street dogs that are injured and dogs out of the South L.A. shelter, which is a high-kill shelter.

The group partners with veterinarians, like Dr. Samuel Park in Anaheim, who are willing to treat these dogs for free.

One recent patient was a pit bull named Sky. The dog, named for her one blue eye, was found abused and abandoned. Dr. Park was treating Sky for a severe ear infection caused by what doctors call a backyard crop job – someone sliced the tips of her ears off. Sky has already undergone surgery to remove two stillborn puppies from her womb and may have to undergo a second surgery, depending on how she does after she's treated for her ear infection.