WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — A Walgreens employee is being recognized by the Wheat Ridge Police Department for her quick actions on Sunday that saved a dog from a probable strangulation death.
Rita Snyder, who works at a Walgreens on Wadsworth Boulevard and W. 44th Avenue, rescued a dog who was being choked by a woman using a cell phone charging cord inside a car at the Walgreens parking lot, according to Wheat Ridge police.
A customer alerted here to the incident, she said.
The woman accused of choking the animal said she was experiencing a mental health crisis and was transported to the hospital. She is facing felony animal cruelty charges, police said.
Snyder said when the woman opened the car door, the dog was pushed outside. Snyder and a manager made sure the dog was safe and on a leash, and then brought it inside.
The dog, which is 1 year old, was injured but is expected to be OK.
"We found out it was a she, and her name was Roni,” Snyder said. "Licking everybody, just wagging it's tail everywhere, no matter how much it got hurt."
Roni is currently under medical observation at a veterinary hospital, police said.
Wheat Ridge police said Snyder would be more than happy to have Roni when she is available for adoption.
She said she's grateful the incident happened in a public place, and that she could help in whatever way possible.