Toll Road Camera Spots Dangerous Doggie Driver
By Editor | August 23, 2007
Austin, TX — When Cedar Park police officer Ponch Petrón got the call over his radio, he thought it was a joke.
“My first thought,” said Petrón, “was an April Fool’s joke or something. But then I remembered that it was August, and jokes are strictly forbidden on the police band.”
The call that Petrón received, in the mid-morning hours along the 183-A toll road in Cedar Park, came from his dispatcher. The dispatcher warned Petrón of a car speeding his way — being driven by a dog.
An observant toll road employee had seen the car approaching the toll plaza at an unusually high rate of speed, so he snapped some extra photos of the car both coming and going.
“All I wanted was the license plate,” said Ernie Hodge, the toll plaza supervisor. “I wanted to report this maniac to the police for rocketing through the plaza, but I had not idea it would turn out like this. We all looked at the pictures and couldn’t believe our own eyes.”
Image: Doggie driver photographed on 183-A toll road
Ernie Hodge made the call to the Cedar Park police, and the details were quickly relayed to the nearest officer — Officer Ponch Petrón.
Petrón made a quick mental note of the car’s make and model, and then peered over the concrete barrier that partially obscured his police cruiser. When the silver Honda Accord came into view, Petrón switched on his overhead lights and began to enter the toll road. Minutes later, he had the Honda pulled over on the side of the road, in the vicinity of Lakeline Mall.
“I was amazed the dog knew how to pull over,” Petrón explained. “I thought, okay, here’s a dog who at least knows how to keep the steering wheel straight. But it actually pulled the car over … hazard lights and everything.”
Officer Petrón exited his cruiser and saw a man sitting in the car’s passenger seat. But he could not tell who, or what, was in the driver’s seat because of the headrest blocking his view. So he approached the vehicle slowly, coming up along the driver’s side.
When he stopped beside the window and looked in, the unusual site confirmed the dispatcher’s call — a pensive pooch was sitting in the driver’s seat, tongue lolling in the afternoon heat, and with what appeared to be a happy-go-lucky smile on his face.
In a foggy stupor of disbelief, Officer Petrón asked the dog for license and registration, before he caught himself and spoke to the man instead.
“I said, sir, what is your dog doing driving this vehicle,” said Petrón. “And the man just looked at me and said, ‘I was really, really tired officer. He’s well trained, and I just needed to give my eyes a break.’ Then I asked him if he realized the car went through the toll plaza at nearly 90 miles per hour, and he gave the dog this look like, ‘Wait till we get home, mister.’”
The dog’s owner was later charged with reckless driving, and the dog was let off with a stern warning.
“At least they both had their seatbelts on,” Petrón added. “Just goes to show you, even a dog can understand our ‘click it or ticket’ motto.”
Related News:
Woman Crashed While Teaching Dog to Drive (ABC News)
Sound Off, Austin
A Doggone Dilemma
Do you think the police in Austin and surrounding cities should allow police dogs to drive police cars, in order to catch more doggie drivers? The Austin Probe wants your opinion on this controversial topic. Please leave comments in the box below.
Topics: Austin News |
August 30th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I am all for it! They couldn’t be any worse at driving than the folks in Austin!
December 15th, 2007 at 1:20 am
I think it’s a good idea, the doggie police can compromise with other “doggie” driver….