Puppy survives DUI crash that killed owner

FORDLAND, Mo. (AP) — A chocolate Labrador retriever puppy who was the sole survivor of a highway accident that killed her owner has been adopted by the sheriff’s deputy who responded to the crash.
Cocoa, estimated to be about 3 months old, was found about 50 to 100 yards from the crushed Chevrolet Suburban on Interstate 44 east of Springfield on April 5, said Webster County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Michael Kyle.
The driver and the dog’s owner, Charlie Goudeau, 46, of Marshfield, died at the scene. In his last few breaths, he told officers someone else was in his sport utility vehicle when it drifted off the roadway and overturned.
Cocoa is recovering from a fractured right leg, injuries to her left front leg and numerous lacerations.

AP story

Above: Cocoa uses her handler, Webster County (Mo.) Sheriff Sgt. Mike Kyle's shoe as a chin rest during Fordland (Mo.) Elementary School's DARE graduation ceremony Wednesday, April 12, 2006. Cocoa, a chocolate labrador puppy Kyle rescued after responding to a DWI fatality in which Cocoa's owner was killed, became an officially commissioned police dog at the ceremony. (AP Photo/Springfield News-Leader, Christina Dicken)

Comments

Thats cool to see the cop cared enough to adopt the puppy, and make sure it had a good home!

[Vibiana]

I'm glad the dog has an owner now who isn't stupid enough to drive drunk.

[bh]

Oh my god.. I had to pick myself up off the floor just by reading the headline. Nice job Greg!!

[htgirl]

poor puppy..he is sooo cute.

[bh]

Was the dog the only one not wearing a seatbelt?

[htgirl]

well, since the dog is the only survivor, i would assume he was the only one WEARING the seatbelt.

[bh]

Oh and bye the way.. that's a Missouri dog.

Sorry couldn't resist.

[htgirl]

I like how they say in the article the vehicle just DRIFTED off the roadway. It DRIFTED? I think it had a little more help behind the wheel by a drunk ass....rather than just DRIFT.

[htgirl]

OK BH!!! We are NOT starting that mess! HEE HEE.

[bh]

I guess that means when the guy got passed out drunk he just kind of "drifted off"..

[Vibiana]

I'm confused by the man saying there was someone else in the SUV, yet there is no mention of another person being killed or injured. On the other hand, maybe the guy is like I am -- my three cats are my babies.

[htgirl]

The driver was drunk...what do you expect? He probably THOUGHT he saw someone else with him.
No, seriously, he probably was referring to his puppy.
BH - I'm just going off what they said. They said the vehicle "drifted" off the roadway and overturned. HE drifted off, not the SUV. I know what they mean...it was just worded funny...that's all.

[bh]

I caught that too Vib.. thinking he meant the dog?

And ht.. no "Missouri dogs fly better than Kansas dogs".. I promise.

[htgirl]

BH you're a weirdo. :)

[Champion of Justice]

They should have had a DUI checkpoint there?

[htgirl]

It seems like anymore you need checkpoints everywhere for drunk drivers.

[bh]

That's two ht. : )

[htgirl]

That's two what bh?

[bh]

cheap shots that I owe you.. lol..

just kidding I already forgot what the first one was.

[htgirl]

Oh yeah...thanks!!!
You never told me what the bh was for.

[bh]

Big Hog.....you figure it out.

[bh]

uh oh,.. I've been impersonated..

[Cochese]

Hey there, why are all of the other blogs not taking any more comments??? Did I miss something?

[bh]

Yeah.. Greg couldn't keep up with screening all the postings. Too many racial or profane comments so he just closed them.

[htgirl]

BH - it stands for big hog? wow.

cochese - too many people talking smack...so greg closed them all out.

[bh]

htgirl is really hot.

[Vibiana]

I don't usually log in before I post, but I think I'm going to start. And Vibiana stands for St. Vibiana, the patron saint of single laywomen and the mentally ill, which in my case goes double. :)

[bh]

big hog it's not, and I don't think it's a great precident to use each others nics.

[Cochese]

I think Greg probably has the best job in the world. I'd love to be able to kick back and watch people post stupid things. Greg, trade me jobs.

[htgirl]

BH - i'm sorry....i still luv ya though.

NO JOKE. I do accounts payable here and I am soooooo tired of numbers! I would rather watch interesting things people have to say all day...for sure.

[Vibiana]

I told you guys once the Defender of Champion Tits showed up, the fun would fly out the window. Sheesh.

[htgirl]

cochese: NO

bh: are you male or female? i might be able to think more on what bh might mean knowing that part.

[htgirl]

cochese - no sprint for me. i have a stable job. don't have to worry about layoffs here. i'm cool.
where did you get sprint from anyway?

[jad]

I think it's very sad that the story is about a puppy that survives, not about how we still have people around who will drive drunk/under influence. Sure, I'm glad the puppy survived, and I'm also glad there wasn't someone in another vehicle that this drifting car could have slammed into, taking more human lives. When are we going to wake up and see what a serious problem alcohol/drug abuse is?! We're so used to the idea that it hardly seems shocking. We should be outraged (if we'd only pay attention).

[Vibiana]

I agree, jad. It's bad enough the way SOBER people drive, chattering away on their cell phones and applying mascara and eating breakfast and reading USA Today while they run red lights and grind pedestrians into the pavement. lol Drunk is way worse.

[htgirl]

cochese: i guess i will give you an A for trying anyway. Your assumption is kind of weird...but okay...you're still cool.

[Michelle]

At least this story has a somewhat happy ending. The puppy survived, and one more a-hole removed himself from the gene pool.

[Michelle]

I actually have a 6 yr old choc lab, they are the best dogs!

[Vibiana]

I don't mean to be a meanie, Cochese, but it's really a good idea to keep animals crated if they're in the car. If you do get into a wreck, they're a lot safer.

[Vibiana]

One of the guys I work for has a chocolate lab named Winston. I call him Winston the Wonder Hound. :)

[htgirl]

cochese - I LOVE Boxers. I want one SOOOO bad. But i just don't have time for a pet. when i do, a boxer it will be :)

bh...where did you go?

[Michelle]

Please tell us you don't actually keep your dog in the car while you are at work. I hope someone from PETA isn't watching!

[RT]

No Htgirl you don't want a Boxer... Get a Bull Terrier those are the best! Thats the only dog I will buy anymore they are so much FUN!

[Michelle]

yeah, ok. get a gun, it won't die in a hot car. :-)

[Vibiana]

If he's crated in the car, how can he protect your property? Besides, cars get hot. How would you like to be stuck in a crate for 8 hours in a 100-degree car?

[Michelle]

What's sad is people actually think they can leave their kids in the car while they are working.

[Vibiana]

If he's crated in the car, how can he protect your property? Besides, cars get hot. How would you like to be stuck in a crate for 8 hours in a 100-degree car?

[Vibiana]

Oops, sorry for duplicate post.

[Michelle]

He's pulling our leg. I hope. Or we could always send Chuck Norris after him.

[htgirl]

if you really think about it though. what good is a gun in the car while your at work. a gun is nothing without a finger on the trigger.