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From Being A Neglected Dog To ASCPA’s 2024 Dog Of The Year: Meet Harper The Black Lab Mix

Sometimes, life will take you places you don’t expect, but totally deserve.

We can say the same for Harper when her life took a 180 degree turn – from being a neglected dog rescued by an animal shelter, to being a disaster search dog, and now to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Dog Of The Year.

The ASPCA unveiled Harper as its 2024 Humane Awards Dog Of The Year recipient on September 18 along with this year’s other heroic winners.

As this year’s Dog Of The Year award recipient, ASPCA shares what made Harper the cream of the crop.

According to ASPCA, Harper is a Black Labrador mix and was one of the 22 dogs confiscated in a hoarding and neglect case years ago.

He was initially placed with the Humane Society of the Black Hills in South Dakota before being accepted into the Search Dog Foundation (SDF)’s program on January 2020.

ASPCA revealed that SDF is “an organization whose mission is to strengthen disaster response in America by rescuing and recruiting dogs and partnering them with firefighters and other first responders to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters.“

They further revealed that SDF determined that among the 22 dogs rescued from neglect, Harper “showed great potential for becoming a disaster search dog.“

Harper then became a candidate in the pilot program to train to become a Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines for California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2).

According to ASPCA, “CA-TF2 is the West Coast’s only internationally deployable task force comprised of physicians, HAZMAT specialists, rescue specialists and canine search specialists.“

And harper was one of the three HRD canines for the task force and she graduated with flying colors on May of 2021.

After graduation, Harper was paired with firefighter Edward Ruiz of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

CA-TF2, including Harper and Ruiz, trained diligently until they achieved FEMA certification on July 2022.

After Harper’s certification as a disaster search canine in 2022, she and Ruiz have been helping save lives and bringing closure to loved ones.

ASPCA reveals that the pair have been deployed multiple times, including to Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022 and more recently to the Lahaina fire in Hawaii.

“Alongside nearly 40 other canine teams, they searched through ash and debris for those lost in the devastating wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Aug. 8, 2023,” ASPCA wrote.

Hoomans saw the potential Harper had in her all those years ago and she has proved to them, time and time again, that she is a talented, dedicated, and hardworking dog capable of helping save lives.

And for her countless contributions, the ASPCA honored her with an award only the goodest of girls and boys deserve – the ASPCA Dog Of The Year award.

Matt Bershadker, President and CEO of the ASPCA said, “Our 2024 ASPCA Humane Award honorees are supporting vulnerable animals and elevating critical protections across the country, exemplifying the ASPCA’s vision of a compassionate nation where all animals are treated with respect and kindness.”

“From working on the frontlines of disasters, to advocating on behalf of animals who are unable to do so for themselves, this year’s Humane Award recipients are heroes and we are grateful for their service,” he added.

The 2024 Humane Awards by the ASPCA honors “both people and animal heroes from across the country who have gone above and beyond to bring attention to animal welfare and better the lives of those around them.”

Harper, along with other honorees, will be formally celebrated for their outstanding contributions at a luncheon in New York City on Thursday, October 10.

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Man Trying To Cremate His Dog Causes Wildfire In Colorado

A man trying to cremate his dog accidentally started a wildfire in Colorado on Thursday, August 01, officials report.

According to KBTX News 3‘s report, an affidavit reveals 63-year-old Brent Garber was accused of starting the Bucktail Fire, which is considered as one of the largest fires in Colorado this year.

The affidavit also reveals that the fire, which ignited on August 01, covered 7,207 acres and damaged several acres of both private and public property and a cabin.

Police Cmdr. Bruce Schmalz reported seeing Garber driving in the area where the fire originated on an ATV and knew that Garber was living in a camper on nearby public land.

Bucktail Fire
Photo from: Montrose County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook

Garber put his dog in a pit with wood, and lit the wood on fire. He threw a spray can on the fire, which exploded and caught a tree on fire, which allegedly started the wildfire.

The affidavit further reveals that Garber tried to perform the remembrance ceremony for his dog, complete with a sign that read, “Rocket Dog. Rest in Peace Buddy.”

Furthermore, CPR News reports that investigators found the dugout with a partially burned dog and a memorial plaque suggesting that the dog lived from October 2017 until July 2024.

Witnesses that were cited in the report said Garber had told them the court order to euthanize his dog due to a fight Rocket was involved in with another dog.

In addition to these information, witnesses also told investigators that Garber “was really down” but that he “did not put the blame anywhere else and knew it was his fault.”

As a result of the wildfire, Garber was arrested earlier in September on suspicion of arson, which caused between $100,000 and $1 million in damages, and second-degree trespassing on agricultural land, Montrose Press reports.

He will appear in the Montrose County Courthouse on Wednesday, October 02 for a plea hearing.

And as of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office’s latest update, the Bucktail Fire has been 83% contained.

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Dog Stabbed By Owner In A Fatal Shooting Expected To Recover

A dog that was injured by his owner inside a St. Louis business on Wednesday, September 25 is expected to recover, animal shelter says.

“He’s here and he’s safe,” The Humane Society of Missouri wrote in a Facebook update on the pooch on Thursday, September 26.

The Humane Society of Missouri further reveals that law enforcement rushed the dog to their shelter where he received emergency medical care.

They wrote, “He had sustained superficial injuries and upon arrival, was also dehydrated and underweight, but we expect him to make a full recovery.”

“Thanks to you and all of your support we are able to make a difference in this pup’s life,” the animal shelter wrote. “He’s going to get the Second Chance he deserve.”

Kathy Warnick, President of HSMO says that they are very pleased that the innocent puppy is expected to have a “good outcome”.

She also tells KMOV that the pup is a “very sweet and gentle dog, but also is understandably fearful at this time.”

Furthermore, KMOV reveals that the dog is currently not up for adoption. And that the vet is monitoring his condition and checking for illnesses such as heartworm disease.

“We will take good care of him as we do with all the animals we serve,” Warnick says.

St. Louis police reveals that the fatal shooting occurred after a man was seen wandering around the Renaissance Financial building holding the dog.

When the officers arrived to assist him outside the building, the man pulled a knife and began stabbing the dog, KSDK reports.

The police proceeded to deploy a stun gun, but the man was able to break free. After fleeing, he went into a stairwell and began stabbing himself in the neck.

Before the man was able to do anything more dangerous, he was shot by the police. He was then rushed to an area hospital, but was pronounced dead.