Keeping an eye out for the unexpected is nothing new for Transportation Infrastructure Inspector Matt Brown, but last week he encountered a new furry friend in need of help.
While performing his daily inspections, Matt found a dog roaming lost. It was a hot day on a busy street near Western Boulevard, so instead of turning a blind eye, he engaged with the dog to see if she had a tag. After not finding a tag, he took the time to drive around the neighborhood and knock on doors until he finally found someone who knew where the owners lived.
And this wasn't his first "rover rescue." Two weeks ago, while completing inspections, Matt drove past a new development where it appeared a dog was purposely left out in the front yard. The leash was wrapped around the dog's neck, making it difficult for him to breathe or move. Matt freed the dog and gave him water while he reached out to the subdivision developer for help. Matt jumping into action most likely saved this dog's life, considering the heat that day and the tightness of the leash.
When asked why he chose to get involved, "After 5 years of working for the City of Raleigh, I think it was just natural instinct," Matt said. "In both situations, the dogs were in distress. I really just thought to myself, what would I want someone to do for me if it was my pet? Luckily, I was able to reconnect the runaway dog with her family. The owner even called to thank me. It's just a great feeling to know that the dog is back home and safe!"