Deputy Thor, heroic police dog, has his day in St. Tammany

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune ^ | 10/23/15 | Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

[BBell]

It is said that every dog has his day. Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 was Thor's.

Before a large and appreciative crowd outside the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse, the Belgian Malinois police dog was hailed as a hero for saving his human partner's life during a burglary investigation this week near Mandeville. Deputy Thor, a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office K-9, suffered a serious wound to the neck as he put himself between Deputy Ronald Olivier and a suspect who lunged at them with a six-inch switchblade, police said. The suspect was shot and killed by deputies.

After undergoing surgery and spending several days in a Mandeville animal hospital, Thor was doing better Friday. The Sheriff's Office was planning to hold a small gathering to commemorate Thor's release from the veterinary clinic and his improving condition. But with Thor's heroics becoming a social media sensation, the event blossomed into the "Welcome Home K-9 Thor Rally," a public event in downtown Covington to which everyone was invited.

It featured hundreds of spectators, the singing of the National Anthem, an invocation, and a stage with a host of elected officials – many of whom are seeking re-election in Saturday's voting. Sheriff Jack Strain said the national media grabbed hold of the story and made Thor a four-legged phenomenon throughout the county. More than 2 million people from around the globe have been linked to Thor's story on Facebook, the Sheriff's Office said.

[BBell]

I love the way we always give credit to our police dogs down here. If a police dog takes someone down credit is given to the dog. Does this happen in other parts of the Country?

With Deputy Thor at his side, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Deputy Ronald Olivier holds a certificate proclaiming Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 Deputy Thor Day in St. Tammany Parish. Thor is credited with possibly saving Olivier life during a burglary investigation. (Kim Chatelain)

A large crowd gathers to celebrate the homecoming of Thor, a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office police dog who is credited with possibly saving his human partner's life. The event drew hundreds of people outside the parish courthouse on Friday Oct. 23, 2015. (St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office)

[BBell]

ping

[Farmer Dean]

And the dog would do it all again to save his master.

[chris37]

[Daffynition]

Amazing dogs. Loyalty. Courage. Praying the Good Lord keeps them safe.

[BigEdLB]

GooDog

[g.orwell]

Dogs are one of Gods gifts to man, they are loyal to the end.

[2CAVTrooper]

Yep, we just adopted a 2yo chocolate lab, and right off the bat she bonded with our 4yo son and is officially his shadow. On walks, she’ll put herself between him and possible danger. There was one time another dog charged at him and she took an aggressive stance with raised hackles growled and barked at the other dog and actually scared it off.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[nobamanomore]

I have a malinois on my lap as I type this. Special animals.

[chrisinoc]

A local Bel Mal K9 was stabbed three days ago but is expected to survive.

http://www.pe.com/articles/dre-784030-sheriff-expected.html

[BBell]

A good thing that Noor Kakar was not down here. The LEO would have shot him up.

[chrisinoc]

This is what the Anaheim PD did to the suspect when he shot one of their dogs, Bruno. He is in hell now.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/police-k9-shot-anaheim-251327611.html

Bruno survived and is in retirement. Two of my rescue’s dogs donated blood for his surgery.

http://www.gsroc.org/news/page/5/

[chris37]

Chris, you are a good man. Thank you for what you do sincerely.

I looked at all the dogs available for adoption, and I want to adopt them all.

So beautiful.

God Bless.

[afraidfortherepublic]

THere is a wonderful movie nearing the end of it’s run in theatres and headed to DVD very soon. It’s called “Max” and it is about a family (with an alienated teen and a difficult dad) who adopts their dead, older son’s dog after the dog was deemed un manageble after his handler (the older son) was killed in Afghanastan. Max is a Belgian Malinois with an attitude that was sending him straight to the needle and the doggie afterlife. The family of the dead Marine stepped in and took the dog.

Many adventures follow, and the dog saves several lives while putting the bad guys away. Some of the stunts are a little improbably, but it is a good movie, nonetheless. The bet part, IMHO, was the end where they showed historic pictures of famous war dogs in action.

The dog earns his place of honor in the house, exposes a bad guy marine and a gun running gang, saves the life of the young boy who adopts him and learns to handle him (reluctantly at first) brings an angry father back into the family fold. Etc., etc.

The adult stars are Lauren Graham and Thomas Hayden Church. The teen star is ???, and a cute and watchable kid.

The dog is ??? and America’s new Rin Tin Tin, as far as I’m concerned.

Go rent it, if you like to watch well trained dogs.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=max+trailer+movie&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IESR02

[BBell]

Prayers for Bruno. I guess other communities love their police dogs as much as we do.

[BBell]

Thanks, I hope it comes to Netflix soon.