On a cold Sunday morning in December 2018, a dog lay wet and hurt on a Kissimmee, Florida street after being struck by a car. Then Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Fiorelli arrived and did something that soon had the whole country talking.
More Than a Welfare Call
Fiorelli spotted the large blonde-and-white dog and called for animal control. He could have simply waited for help in his patrol car. Instead, he sat down next to her, petted her head, and took off his jacket to drape over her.
The weather was chilly and the dog was soaking wet. “She didn’t have anyone there so I decided to be that person,” Fiorelli told WFTV. He also noted that injured dogs often turn defensive out of fear or pain, but this one didn’t. She accepted his comfort and stayed calm until animal control arrived, according to WTSP.
A Photo Nobody Planned
Fiorelli had no idea anyone was watching. Carlos Irizzary, who was walking his own dog along Royal Palm Drive that morning, saw the scene and took a picture. Irizzary told WFTV he had never seen anything quite like it.
Credit:Image courtesy of Osceola County SO / Facebook.
The photo spread rapidly on social media. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office shared it on its Facebook page, and local leaders helped amplify it. Osceola County Animal Shelter director Kim Staton praised the deputy for “taking this dog under his wing, so to speak” until an officer could get there.
What Happened Next
At the shelter, staff found the dog had scrapes and a dislocated hip joint. She was placed on pain medication and monitored closely, and surgery was scheduled to repair the joint. Staton said the dog was eating well and stable, and that staff were hopeful she would recover, though she cautioned that the injury and surgery could bring complications.
The dog had no collar and no microchip, which made it hard to find her owner. Under shelter rules, she had to be held for a period in case someone came forward. If nobody claimed her and she kept recovering, Staton said, she would likely be made available for adoption. The shelter also accepted donations toward her medical costs and those of other animals in its care.
A Simple Reminder
Fiorelli used the attention to send a message to pet owners: put ID on your animals. He hoped the dog would get home, and that whoever owned her would consider a collar or microchip. His advice was blunt and heartfelt. A pet may be only one part of an owner’s life, but the owner is the pet’s whole world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do if you find an injured dog on the road?
Stay calm, keep your distance if the animal seems frightened, and call local animal control or the police non-emergency line right away. Avoid moving the animal unless it’s in immediate danger, since injuries may be worse than they appear.
Why do injured animals sometimes act aggressively?
Pain and fear can trigger defensive behavior even in normally gentle dogs. Approach slowly and speak softly, and never force contact with an injured animal.
Why does a microchip matter so much?
A microchip lets shelters and vets identify an owner quickly. In this case, the missing collar and chip were the main reason staff struggled to locate the dog’s family.
How long do shelters hold stray animals?
It varies by county and state, but shelters typically hold found animals for a set number of days to give owners a chance to claim them before they are treated or made available for adoption.
Sources: WFTV, Fox 35 Orlando, WTSP, and Police1, all citing the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Josh Fiorelli, Carlos Irizzary, and the Osceola County Animal Shelter.
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