Meet 'Leo,' Canton PD's Newest Canine Hero

CANTON, CT — There's a new sheriff in town at the Canton Police Department, his name is Leo and he barks.

But if the newest canine member of Canton's finest has any weapons, it doesn't come in the form of sharp teeth and dangerous claws.

It comes from cuteness — as well as a story that is as heartwarming as any Lifetime Channel tear-jerker.

And, even better, the public can get an up-close-and-personal look at the CPD's canine dynamo at a touch-a-truck event at Canton High School Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday if it rains too much (as it might).

Leo, (an acronym for "law enforcement officer") is a young Labrador puppy who was abandoned by his owner back in July in North Canton.

Fostered by Canton Police Officer John Phelps, the department tried to find the original owner ... to no avail.

Over the summer, officers and CPD employees became attached to Leo and it was clear the dog was a match made in heaven for a different type of canine role in a police department.

Hence, Leo the lovable Lab became Leo the "Community Service Dog," a police dog whose job isn't to catch the bad guys, but to help cement the CPD's reputation among the good guys.

Wherever the CPD is involved in community functions, Leo is there.

He's always willing to be petted, give a tongue kiss or simply help police soothe anxiety-filled folks having a bad day while in contact with police.

Leo isn't an official service dog just yet, as there's more training to be required.

The three-year cost of training and caring for Leo is about $42,500, with a GoFundMe page already set up to help raise money for the CPD's Community Service Dog program.

So far, $7,250 of the initial $20,000 goal has been raised, with donations always welcome.

The program was endorsed by the Canton Board of Selectmen earlier this month and police are hopeful the public will endorse Leo's role as well.

"Canton PD believes Leo will be a great asset to the Canton community and we hope our friends can see that value as well," wrote the CPD on the GoFundMe page.

"Leo will be able to offer comfort to those who are stressed or injured, he will offer a bridge for interactions between officers and citizens that start on a positive note and remain so, and he will bring joy and happiness to those that meet him."

Meanwhile, the public can watch Leo's journey from an abandoned puppy to a police hero on the Canton Police Department's Facebook page.

People, though, should be warned that the photos are not appropriate for folks who cannot handle an abundance of cute dog pictures.

For more information and to donate to the Canton Police Department's GoFundMe page for Leo, click on this link.