Chillicothe search-and-rescue dog finalist in national competition

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A search-and-rescue dog from Chillicothe is a finalist in a national competition.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards is an annual, nationwide competition that searches out and recognizes America’s Hero Dogs – often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or simply providing the tail-wagging welcome a pet owner relishes at the end of a hard day.

One of the finalists is a dog that went from starving and abandoned in the woods to a rescue dog in Ross County.

Liberty’s Baby was found abandoned in the woods in Liberty township, along with her three puppies. They were barely surviving by eating from a deer carcass, according to Liberty’s handler. Baby was shy and had to be coaxed out of the woods. She was very thin, with her ribs and back bone showing. Baby also was suffering from an extremely heavy insect and parasite infestation. Once Baby came out from hiding in the woods, she was immediately taken to a veterinarian and treated. Her puppies all found loving homes. After Baby’s health improved and she got a clean bill of health, she started to show potential as a search dog.

With lots of hard work, workshops and training, Baby then passed her human remains detection test through the National Association for Search and Rescue, becoming a certified cadaver dog. Baby went from being abandoned in the woods, to becoming a nationally certified search K-9.

Liberty Baby is one of several finalists. To vote for Liberty Baby, click here.