Longboat Key Cops Corner: Best Animal Calls of 2024

Dogs being dogs

9:54 a.m., Jan. 30, 500 block of Schooner Lane

Animal Problem: An officer was dispatched for a welfare check on a dog that was howling. The officer arrived at the reported residence and tried to contact the homeowner, but it appeared no one was home. From outside, the officer could see two dogs inside the residence, but did not hear any howling. The dogs seemed to be okay, according to the officer’s report. 

Dog on the loose 

6 p.m., Feb. 28, 500 block of Birdie Lane 

Animal Problem: A citizen called to report a loose Doberman that was biting other dogs. An officer requested Sarasota Animal Control Services also respond to the scene. Upon arrival, the officer met with the complainant, who said he saw the loose Doberman running around without a leash, and he was concerned the dog would bite others in the neighborhood. The officer canvassed the area and was able to locate the dog’s owner. The owner said his dog accidentally got out of the harness and was running around for a few minutes when they encountered the complainant. It was confirmed that no other dogs or humans were bitten. 

Chihuahua chase  

9:03 p.m., July 5, 6300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal Problem: An officer responded to a report of an unleashed dog on the beach and, upon arrival, found a group of people with a chihuahua on the beach. One of the men in the group told the officer the dog had escaped from the rental property and they were trying to corral the dog. The owners eventually captured the chihuahua and the owner was given a warning for the violation of having a dog on the beach. 

Raccoon lounge

10:58 a.m., July 27, 2200 block of Harbourside Drive

Animal Problem: A Longboat Key officer was asked to check out a report of a raccoon laying on top of a resident’s lanai cage. At the residence, the officer spoke with the resident, who said the raccoon had been there for a couple of hours. The officer thought the raccoon appeared to be sick and asked for backup from animal services. While waiting for backup, the officer used a pool cleaning stick to direct the raccoon away from the house. The raccoon climbed off of the roof and tried looking for an escape route, which led the officer to believe it wasn’t sick after all. Backup was canceled, and the resident was advised to call again and request animal services if the raccoon returned. 

Snake eviction 

1:45 p.m., Oct. 11, 3400 block of Mistletoe Lane

Animal Problem: A Longboat Key officer was dispatched to a resident’s call about a snake inside a home. When the officer arrived at the scene, the homeowner said she saw the snake in the lanai and wanted it to be removed by the police. The officer found the snake inside a table cover and moved it outside. 

Lost dog reunited 

3:11 p.m., Oct. 21, 500 block of Bayport Way

Officer Public Service: A Longboat Key officer received a tip from a North Miami Police Department sergeant — who is on Longboat Key as a part of a mutual aid agreement — that an elderly resident reported she lost her dog in this area. The Longboat officer canvassed the area for the resident’s 11-year-old dog and located her near the owner’s residence. The pup received a courtesy ride back to her home, where she was reunited with the owner. 

Cat in the wall

6:06 p.m., Nov. 15, 3800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal Problem: A resident called dispatch for help getting a cat out of a wall. An officer with the Longboat Key Police Department called the resident and said the department does not respond to animal calls like this. Luckily, the caller said the cat got itself out of the wall.