Rescue Tails / A Tribute to Officer Hugh Smith

Today marks the end of a six-year career with the Florida Keys SPCA for Officer Hugh Smith. We sat down together and recalled the countless stories throughout those years and I want to share some of our most memorable rescue tails with all of you.

One of our first calls was early in the evening of 2015 when we received an urgent call from concerned citizens who found two dogs drowning in a canal. The sun had set and the frightened dogs were splashing, furiously treading water with no way to escape. As they tried desperately to grip the seawall and, considering that the length of time they had been in the water was unknown, we feared exhaustion would set in, so something had to be done, and done quickly. Without hesitation, Officer Smith leapt into the canal, using his own belt as a leash, he guided the canines from under the dock and, while treading water, lifted the large dog over his head and up onto a tied-up boat. With the first dog safely out of danger, Officer Smith swam to the second dog and, using the same methods, removed the second dog from the water. Once both dogs were safe they were eventually reunited with their owner.

That same year was another call I’ll never forget. A Good Samaritan called reporting a possibly deceased dog, abandoned in a trap yard on No Name Key. Upon arrival Officer Smith didn’t immediately spot the dog. He was actually getting ready to leave when he noticed a strong odor from underneath a trailer. There, panting in the heat was a dog, a dog missing huge chunks of fur, with skin turned to leather from infection. His eyes were crusted shut. He did not respond to calls or touch, it appeared the old neglected dog had crawled under the trailer having given up hope, prepared to die. Luckily the Golden Retriever named Buster survived. Through his microchip his owner was located and Officer Smith charged the owner with cruelty. With the owner held accountable for his actions, and Buster safe in our care, he regained his strength and health and was adopted into a loving family.

Dutchess arrived in our care after having a litter of puppies. She was in poor condition and suffered from both mastitis and a potentially deadly pyometra due to the neglect of her owner. What started out as a case of neglect, turned into a long and arduous battle for custody through the courts. Her owner, with a lengthy history of incarceration, fought for an entire year while in jail against the charges and refused to surrender her ownership. Officer Smith was persistent, and fought hard for Dutchess and what was best for her. Over the years in our custody we had mended her health, built her confidence and Dutchess blossomed into a wonderful, happy and healthy dog. Because of Officer Smith’s dedication to Dutchess, we were finally awarded custody of Dutchess in 2019, her owner was found guilty and, after a year of waiting, Dutchess was adopted into a loving home.

It’s because of calls, cases and tales like these that I will always be grateful to Officer Smith. In our six years together, Officer Smith responded to 947 calls for service, helping countless animals in the Lower and Middle Keys. His commitment to protecting pets in paradise, his accomplishments and his time within our organization will never be forgotten.