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CNN Live Today

Police Officer Performs CPR, Saves Dog's Life

Aired July 17, 2002 - 12:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: On, well, a much more serious note, a dog owner in Massachusetts is singing the praises of the police officer who saved his dog's life. It was a case of mouth-to-muzzle resuscitation that worked. That story from reporter Karen Twomey, now, of CNN affiliate station WLVI.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAREN TWOMEY, CNN AFFILIATE WLVI REPORTER (voice-over): How close would you get to this dog? Officer Thomas Richmond got about as close as can you get. That's because last week, one-and-a-half-year- old, Cinnamon, ran across this busy West Bridgewater street right into traffic.

OFFICER THOMAS RICHMOND, WEST BROOKWATER POLICE: A car coming down here northbound hit the dog in the right rear fender and threw it down right over here.

TWOMEY (on camera): So this is where you found the dog.

RICHMOND: This is where I found the dog, and this is where I gave it CPR.

TWOMEY (voice-over): That's right. CPR and mouth-to-mouth on a dog.

RICHMOND: Five compressions, blow into its nose, five compressions, same thing. And it took like six times and it worked.

TWOMEY: He had never done it before and didn't know if it would work, but felt like he had to try, partly because Cinnamon's owner was standing nearby crying.

JANINE COLUMBO, DOG OWNER: I couldn't even go over there and look. I just asked her is she OK, and they said no. I just thought she was gone.

TWOMEY: Janine Columbo is thrilled, calling Officer Richmond her new hero. He has a new reputation, although he is not sure if he wants it.

RICHMOND: Any job, people are going to give you, you know, a razzing. I am just -- I'm glad I did it. You know, it made me feel good afterwards, you know, seeing the dog alive and the woman was just -- she was so happy afterwards.

TWOMEY (on camera): It may sound a little strange, artificial respiration mouth-to-muzzle, but Officer Richmond says it's really not that different from a human, and in spite of the slobber, he would do it again.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: That report from Karen Twomey of CNN affiliate WLVI.

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