German Shepherd: Why Is This Versatile Breed Making Headlines?

The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breed of dogs. They are strong, clever, loyal and lovable. The German Shepherd has been finding itself in some local news stories mostly for positive reasons but there have been a couple of cases where the Shepherd was responsible for injuring someone or was a victim of abuse.

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Let's begin with the positive. The police force in Auburn Maine added its newest member, a two-year-old German Shepherd named Rocky. On Monday July 1, Rocky and his handler took the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor.

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Rocky the German Shepherd is named after a police officer who was killed on the job 32 years ago. Officer Rodney "Rocky" Bonney died on April 6, 1981 while trying to rescue a 15-year-old boy who fell into the Androscoggin River. Officer Bonney and the boy were pulled under the water by a strong current. Their bodies were not recovered until April 7.

Officer Bonney's widow, Cherrie attended the ceremony and pinned the badge on her husband's namesake German Shepherd.

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In other German Shepard news that will make you wonder what exactly is wrong with people, a 27-year-old man was arrested after putting a German Shepard puppy inside of a running dishwasher killing the dog.

Marcus Curry a Memphis resident is facing a charge of aggravated animal abuse. According to the Daily Mail Curry's landlord found the dead puppy inside a red duffle bag that was buried inside a dumpster. Curry attempted to dispose of the German Shepard but was arrested after the dog's body was found. Curry does not have a lawyer and is currently being held on $40,000 bond.

Just so you know not everybody out there is an animal abuser, here is a story to warm your heart. Darrell Fortner lost his dogs when the Black Forest fire ravaged Colorado. On Saturday June 29 the Red Cross and the Black Forest Animal Sanctuary presented Fortner with a German Shepherd named Basil to help the older man heal after losing his dogs in the fire.

When Darrell Fortner was given Basil he broke down in tears and hugged the people who gave him the German Shepard and then hugged his new dog. Fortner was photographed holding Basil hugging 11-month-old crying.

They say the best was to get over the loss of a pet is to get another. Here is hoping Mr. Fortner can move on from the devastation with help and love of his new German Shepherd companion.