OHMIDOG! : Memorial to 9/11 dogs toppled by vandals

A statue commemorating 9/11 rescue dogs was toppled by vandals in the village of Lindenhurst, N.Y., and the mayor has announced a $500 reward for information leading to their arrest.

The 300-pound statue was modeled after a German shepherd who spent 150 days searching through the rubble of ground zero.

The statue was dedicated to service dogs everywhere, but was modeled after Hansen, who served with former Lindenhurst Fire Department Chief  and former NYPD Canine Officer Steve Smaldon. Hansen died in 2004 at age 11.

Smaldon and Hansen — who was trained as both a cadaver dog and a search and rescue dog — responded to 9/11, working at Ground Zero for about nine months.

The statue was installed three years ago during the annual commemoration at the Lindenhurst Remembers 9/11 Memorial Garden. The garden, completed in 2006, honors the memories of those from Lindenhurst who died in 9/11.

Mayor Tom Brennan called the act of vandalism “deplorable and unacceptable,” Patch.com reported.

“Damaging a piece of village property that signifies the tragic loss of life that many across our community still and will forever feel warrants swift and immediate action” Brennan said.

The village said the statue would be repaired and replaced before 10th anniversary ceremonies in September.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Suffolk County Police at 800-220-TIPS.

(Photo: Village of Lindenhurst, Doug Madlon)



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