Paws and Order: Lander Police Officer Helps to Bring Four-Legged Fugitive Home

GREENWOOD, S.C.— The charges could have been serious: unlawful roaming for wandering the streets without adult supervision, failure to obey commands for ignoring repeated orders to “come here” and even public nuisance by causing widespread concern among family and friends.

Fortunately for Penny Eller, a girl who just wanted to have some fun, a Lander University police officer decided that a little compassion – rather than a criminal record – was in order when he rescued the four-legged fugitive during her night on the loose.

Lt. Jake Lucas didn’t immediately recognize Penny, the co-host of two popular radio shows on WCRS Radio with her station manager mother, Anne Eller.

The 20-pound apricot poodle has become affectionately known as Princess Penny among Eller’s loyal listeners. She is Eller’s popular sidekick and has her own director’s chair in the radio studio where the broadcaster conducts interviews Monday through Friday and has a popular music show on Saturday mornings.

According to an unofficial report, Penny was taking a break around 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the spacious field behind the radio station when several deer invaded her space. Penny decided to track them down, and to her mother’s dismay disappeared into the woods surrounding the field.

Eller’s calls for Penny to return went unanswered, and while Eller was searching in one area, Penny apparently had taken off in another direction. While Eller was frantically searching the woods, Penny was in field of tall grass between the radio station and a busy highway surrounding a nearby Stop-A-Minit.

Lucas, who was taking a dinner break and heading back to work, saw the perfectly groomed Penny and realized that she didn’t look as though she belonged in the great outdoors. He stopped and tried to coax her in his direction.

“She was a little hesitant at first and moved away,” Lucas said, noting that he was able to grab her leash and end her wild adventure. “She got in the car and seemed happy to be going for a ride.”

Lucas took Penny to the Greenwood Humane Society shelter where she could spend the night until her family could be found. Before he left her, Lucas took a photo of Penny and sent it to a friend – all the while not realizing that a frantic social media campaign was underway to locate the darling dog.

Eller’s wide network of friends was sending photos on social media posts. “It is amazing how quickly the word spread about Penny,” said Eller, acknowledging that she was heartsick over her pet’s disappearance. “It was gratifying to see how many people were concerned about her and wanted to help locate Penny.”

The search continued throughout the night.

But the next morning, Lucas received a message around 8 a.m. from his friend, who sent him the social media posts. “This is the dog you found,” she said.

Lucas immediately got in touch with Eller, who headed to the shelter to be reunited with Penny.

“I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for Jake’s quick action and kindness. Because of him, Penny is safely home,” said Eller. “When a beloved pet goes missing, you feel helpless and frightened, but thanks to Officer Lucas -- and the outpouring of concern from our community – Penny is safe.”

Eller issued a “Proclamation for Your Time” from WCRS Radio on Friday to Lucas when he stopped by the station to see how Penny was faring later in the week. The proclamation lauds his “compassion, initiative and thoughtful actions, which are a meaningful reminder that kindness is not always measured by grand gestures, but often by the simple willingness to stop, notice and care when someone needs help.”

While Penny may not have known that she needed help, Lucas did, although he was quick to deflect the accolades. “I was only doing what I would do for anyone,” he said, noting that he has rescued many dogs while working as a police officer. “This is part of what we do, and I was happy to help Penny find her way home.”

Eller continues to be overwhelmed by the experience. “So many people shared Penny’s story, helped spread the word and kept an eye out for her. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who helped bring Penny home.”

And as for Penny, she’s rather tight-lipped about the experience. She’s living on a rather tight leash these days and has returned to her day job, still expecting her usual complement of treats.