PLAIN DEALER (Cleveland, Ohio) 08 May 05 Cold-blooded friend can't keep drug suspects out of hot water (Donna Iacoboni)
Sheriff's deputies are used to squaring off with toothy, angry dogs when they break down a door to search for drugs.
But Thursday on West 74th Street, a friendly American bulldog puppy had backup.
A 3˝-foot American alligator.
"I'm listening to the (police) radio, and I hear, Call animal control, we've got an alligator,' " sheriff's inspector Doug Burkhart said Saturday.
The county dog warden took the dog and reptile away.
The cops hauled away three men, including one who could have died of an overdose, Burkhart said.
"He was trying to swallow 23 grams of crack cocaine. We got him to cough it up," he said. "That's why drug dealers have dogs, to slow us down while they eat or flush the drugs."
Once the pup "guarding" the upstairs and the gator cruising the basement were contained, officers confiscated crack, Ecstasy, PCP, powder cocaine, $5,000 and two loaded pistols.
Since the drug house was within 1,000 feet of a school, the three face heftier penalties. Burkhart said they will be charged Monday with possession of drugs near a school and possession for sale.
Dog Warden John Baird said the dog, at the city kennel, and the alligator, at a foster home, are being cared for until they are claimed by an owner or are made available for adoption in about two weeks.
If they are claimed, Baird said the owner will be charged with having a reptile in the city and for not having "vicious dog" liability insurance, required by the city of anyone keeping American bulldogs, pit bulls and other large, aggressive breeds.
There may be another option.
Baird said: "I'll be giving the dog to one of the deputies who made the arrests. He really liked it."
Cold-blooded friend can't keep drug suspects out of hot water