Abandoned puppy found with electrical tape tying its mouth shut gets adopted by Lee County Deputy Sheriff, instantly joining the pawlice and a protective furever home, pawrent says: ‘We can’t allow; we can’t sit back and let anyone ab**e an animal’

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Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Feb 9, 2026 3:00 PM EST

You might have thought that police do not have time to take on animal cases, but this sheriff's office not only had the time, they had the heart to adopt and save the life of a pupper abandoned to the streets.

It is truly shocking that in this day and age of demonizing our law enforcement community that such a heartwarming and wholesome story should exist, but it does. And so we are proud to be sharing with you today the tale of Chance the would-be Sheriff's Deputy who was found by local Lee County Deputies after a call from animal services about a dog with its mouth taped shut. Being devoted animal lovers, the brave men and women of the County Sheriff's office leapt into action to bring the dog to safety and tend to its health.

Thankfully their training paid off and they were able to locate the pupper with ease and bring him back to the station. This is where one of the Deputies would decide that the dog who had survived such an ordeal, also deserved a home that would protect him and keep him safe from the unsavory things in the world. And so Chance got his furever home. What more can you ask for than that?
 

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    "Chance is one of the lucky ones." KOS CHANCE SHERIFF
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    LCSO Deputy Chance is a dog with a story to tell. Found abandoned after suffering cruel abe and having his mouth taped shut, Chance has slowly regained his health and climbed the social ladder in one
    via JulieVet
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    fell swoop: he's been employed at the sheriff's office. Chance was originally discovered roaming the streets of southwest Florida
    via JulieVet
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    after the Lee County Domestic Animal Services received a call from a concerned resident. His mouth had been sealed shut with red electrical tape, and he was dehydrated, starving, and
    via JulieVet
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    bling from WO ds on his leg and chest. According to Fox 13, the perpetrator was nowhere to be found. Chance was in visible distress, panting, drooling,
    via JulieVet
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    SHERIE
    via JulieVet

  • What in the super villain is this madness? Seriously, we cannot wrap our heads around how and why this poor doggo was treated so poorly. Like how could you have it so desperately out for a pupper who would want nothing more than to love and be loved? You would have to be a really messed up person to do something like this. But in some twisted way perhaps it was all for the best as this doggo went from barely surviving in the street, straight into walking his pawlice beat. And who knows, maybe one day he will bring the people who did this to him to justice. 

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    and struggling to breathe. LCDAS took the dog in and he was quickly assessed by a veterinarian. It didn't take long for Chance's buoyant spirit to return, however, and
    via JulieVet
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    in early March of 2019, he was adopted. Deputy Richard Castellon is delighted to have taken him in: "Dogs are in my bl. d," the deputy said, speaking to WINK News. "Even when I
    via JulieVet
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    saw the story myself, you know, it was horrific... Animals, they're innocent." Chance, now 1 year old, has more than just typical house pet duties to fulfill: he's got a job!
    via JulieVet
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    K9 CARMINE SHERIFF CAR LEE COUNTY MARCENO FLORIDA
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    Sheriff Carmine Marceno of Lee County Sheriff's Office didn't hesitate in welcoming the extraordinary dog onto their tight-knit team. "He's part of the family," the sheriff said.
    via JulieVet
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    Even though Chance is now safe and sound, Deputy Castellon knows that the recovered canine is representative of thousands who suffer similar ae. He is adamant that the fight isn't over. "We can't allow; we
    via JulieVet
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    can't sit back and let anyone ate an animal," he stated. Sheriff Marceno told WINK News that he is investigating ways to crack down on animal ak e. "We want to start thinking about what
    via JulieVet
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    Cheezburger Image 10602969088
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office

  • Honestly, this is so impressive. We have never come across a police service that is so interested and capable of upholding animal rights. As it usually goes, precincts are underfunded and understaffed and so have little to no resources to dedicate to the protection of the defenseless animals we share this world with. But it seems that one way or another, be it the caring people or the resources they have at hand, these officers of the law are making sure their jurisdiction reaches out to the paw. We can only wish for others to follow suit and acknowledge the importance of protecting animals just as much as hoomans. 

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    MARCEND
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    we can do to stiffen the penalties," the sheriff said. County ordinance confirms that, at present, a third-offense animal cruelty fine stands at a fairly insignificant US$500. Many would argue that this fine should be much, much higher.
    via JulieVet
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    "It seems like a very light penalty," said Karen Fordiani, who works at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. Even after offenders pay the penalty, animals still suffer the fate of being
    via JulieVet
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    neglected or abused. "It's very frustrating," Fordiani said. "We'll see the same animals impounded and then sometimes the second or third time. We see them hit by a car."
    via JulieVet
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    To avoid this act from being repeated over and over again by offenders, the sheriff's office hopes to create a database. "So they go on a list and we can track them and see is this
    via JulieVet
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    NY ERIFF MA
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    someone that's a repeat offending, is it a first-time offense?" the sheriff said. "For me, one offense is too many." Chance is one of the lucky ones. Now in excellent health, the incredibly well-
    via JulieVet
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    behaved young pup was deputized on Thursday, March 7, 2019, and is now enjoying a jam- packed itinerary. Lee County Sheriff's Office chronicled the dog's first day at work on their
    via JulieVet
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    CAUTION K-9 f@De BUTH TY DOGS
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    Facebook page. "Eager to get his paws dirty, Deputy Chance sprang into action this weekend," they wrote, cheerfully. Unwilling to ignore the opportunity for a joke, they continued: "When asked to
    via JulieVet
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    describe his first day on duty, Deputy Chance stated: 'ruff."" Deputy Chance clearly has a sense of humor. By all accounts, his first day was full of excitement and his duties were
    via JulieVet
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    Cheezburger Image 10602969856
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    numerous. The dog accompanied Sheriff Marceno to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Spinz Roller Skating Center in Fort Myers, and was warmly welcomed by the crowds. Showing
    via JulieVet
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    commendable endurance, Deputy Chance then attended the Lee County Sheriff's Office "Teen Driver Challenge" in Lehigh Acres. There was much to keep the young pup entertained, including the hair-
    via JulieVet
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    raising spectacle of fast cars maneuvering through complex obstacle courses. Chance's young life is exponentially enriched by the care of a loving family and his new job as an LCSO Deputy
    via JulieVet
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    K09 CHANCE SHERIFF
    via Lee County Sheriff's Office
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    (and we're willing to bet he's the most popular one). As for his next assignment? Keep living your best life, Deputy Chance! You thoroughly deserve it.
    via JulieVet

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