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Copper, a police bloodhound that helped find a Herriman boy who fell down an open manhole, is being rewarded by PETA for his actions.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals announced Tuesday that it is sending the West Valley City Police Department a Heroic Dog Award and a "doggie" bag containing a squeaky toy, a chew bone and a box of vegan dog treats.
The dog and Sgt. Shane Matheson were called in to assist in the search for 6-year-old Kollin Bailey, who had gone to play at a friend's home on Friday but wasn't there when his mother came to pick him up. The friend couldn't play so the boy instead had ridden his bike down a walking path that leads to a retention basin, according to the Unified Police Department.
A search began about 5:30 p.m. near 12600 S. 4500 West and after a neighbor found Kollin's abandoned bike on the path about 6:50 p.m., K9 teams from the West Valley City Police Department were called in.
In about 20 minutes, Copper led Matheson to the 12-foot-deep manhole where Kollin had fallen and broken his arm.
"Dogs are known to go to courageous lengths to help their human friends," PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch said, "and this smart and tenacious K9 is no exception."
Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC