Tale Of Disobedience, Canine Defiance Grips Central Texas

ROUND ROCK, TX — There is a riveting drama playing out involving a suspect doggedly determined to disobey commands from his superior officer, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody. At the center of this drama is K9 Nemo, who stood trial for having brought toys into the sheriff's office in defiance of orders.

It's all pretty fur-raising stuff, a tale of unspeakable defiance and animal instincts with with two strong-willed characters at the center of the drama.The inter-species battle of wills has garnered wide attention in Williamson County and beyond, capturing even the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott who's weighed in on the matter.

On the heels of participating in an epic lip synch challenge with law enforcement agencies across the state, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office now brings us this edge-of-your-seat drama centered on a canine accused of bringing toys into the sheriff's office without permission.

In addition to the taped interrogation, there's even a suspenseful trial scene where K9 Nemo takes the stand, barking answers to Chody during intense questioning proclaiming the sheriff simply can't handle the truth.

The drama shows a side of law enforcement laymen rarely see. It's clear Chody has his hands full as the top law enforcement official safeguarding county residents' safety. Little did many of us know the trials and tribulations of dealing with the recalcitrance of rogue K9 officers like Nemo, who's since been jailed for his insubordination.

He's even been replaced with another, more obedient, canine:

The taut courtroom drama "A Few Good Paws" gives us a glimpse into the challenges Chody faces in dealing with non-compliant canine officers. Evident too is the thin blue line of fur that exists, as the film shows us: K9 Nemo somehow manipulated the court system at his trial in order to install a friendly judge determining his fate — fellow K9 Officer Drago, acting all judge-like in the courtroom but fooling no one.

As the recording demonstrates, Chody vehemently objected to this judicial farce to no avail — illustrating the tribal nature of the tight-knit canine community while looking out for their own in having each others' furry backs. On the stand, Nemo remained defiant against Chody's strident accusations. At one point, Chody clutches a kong while questioning K9 Nemo if he brought it into the sheriff's office without permission.

"But it's also true you didn't bring enough of these kongs for everybody else in the unit," Chody asserts, his voice gradually rising in anger. "Is that true?" he repeats. "You brought kongs into the sheriff's office when you were told not to! True or not?!?!

A public defender is heard on the video loudly objecting to Chody's strident questioning, but the sheriff is undeterred:

"Did your bring kongs into the sheriff's office?" Chody repeats,at this point shouting at the defiant defendant. "Did you bring toys into the sheriff's office!" he repeats, at this point nearly screaming.

And then, a stunning development. Perhaps driven by hubris or a desire to get back to his toys and/or to resume the pleasures of self-grooming, K9 loudly admits his transgressions under Chody's forceful questioning: "You're darn right!" K9 Nemo acknowledged on the stand, his reply translated in captions for the those not fluent in bark. "They are MY toys!"

The courtroom admission leaves Chody clearly stunned, the defender speechless and the court suffused in silence. The dramatic exchange is difficult to convey in words. Check out the videotaped climactic scenes below:

While Chody won the courtroom battle, a "Free Nemo" campaign has since emerged in a community groundswell, as residents express empathy for the canine in spite of his insubordination.

"Let the dogs out," one prominent Nemo supporter — a justice of the peace in county seat Georgetown, Texas — writes.

The biggest proponent for Nemo's amnesty, the governor of Texas himesl, seems to have given Chody paws, er, pause. "Free Nemo," the governor wrote succinctly yet authoritatively. For added emphasis, Abbot added the hashtag #FreeNemo that is growing in popularity among those empathetic to Nemo's dependence on his toys.

"When the Governor of Texas hashtags a tweet #FreeNemo in response to K9 Nemo," Chody wrote in palpably conciliatory tones over his courtroom adversary. "@GregAbbott_TX I will do as promised and strongly consider K9-Nemo’s future. You must know, your hashtag carries a lot of weight."

Yet another plea for leniency from Pflugerville Police Chief Jessica Robledo appears to have softened Chody's seemingly intractable stance. Robledo asked Chody if he might allow for a conditional release for Nemo, allowing time for him to vote in helping the Pflugerville Police Department secure a grant. To enhance her plea, the police chief included a photo of her own canine dog voting for the department.

"I know @K9Nemo is still on lockdown, but can you let him out long enough to vote for us and help us win the #WhyWeServe grant?" Robledo asked Chody. "Nemo’s vote could very well seal the deal! So what do you say? Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/2sG2Tu5."

Related story: Help Pflugerville Police Secure Important Grant By Voting

Toughened and hardened by the rigors of his work, Chody nonetheless appears to have been moved by the request: "Chief, for you I will allow K9 Nemo out long enough to vote for @Pf_Police in the #WhyWeServe Grant. I will ask all my friends to vote as well for your agency to win the grant. Relay to K9 Tymo that this favor was for you not him as I understand K9’s stick together no matter."

Despite the newly developed charitable Chody approach, this drama is fur from over, and continues to be played out in Williamson County. Stay tuned.

Get Patch's Daily Newsletters and Real Time Alerts

>>> Image via Shutterstock