Earlier this month, MCDOT received
an email stating that “leaf collection men helped save my dog – KUDOS.” The
three intrepid MCDOT Highway Services’ employees were Donald Thompson, Keith
Howard and Doug Jones – all from Highway’s Silver Spring Depot.
It all started on Saturday,
December 3, when three large dogs that had bolted away from their dog walker
attacked a dog being walked by its owner. The dog owner laid down on his
beloved pet in the middle of the street to shield it from the other dogs. As he
was lying face down, he heard a friendly voice telling him that it was safe to
get up. Thompson, Howard and Jones had been nearby working on one of MCDOT’s
leaf vacuum collection crews, and when they saw what was happening, came to the
rescue by grabbing the attacking dogs’ leashes, pulling them away and returning
them to the dog walker. The owner’s dog was unharmed, but the gentleman was so
shaken that he didn’t feel he properly thanked the men who acted so quickly to
help – and that’s when he wrote to MCDOT to explain what had happened.
“I wanted to let you know how grateful
I am for their willingness to take this action,” said the dog owner.
“I commend Donald Thompson, Keith
Howard and Doug Jones, who didn’t hesitate to go above and beyond during a
difficult situation and take fast action to help someone,” said MCDOT Director
Al Roshdieh upon receiving the email. “To the dog owner, these three employees
are real heroes. And they are to us, too. Our MCDOT staff is special – they are
dedicated and hardworking and do an exemplary job. That’s why it’s always so
great to hear from residents not only about efforts that our staff make in
extraordinary circumstances, but also about the great service they provide day
in and day out.”
