JUST IN: Dog Adoption Event Is Highlighted By A $20,000 Check For Dallas K-9 Unit Honoring Scott And Figor

When Clay Cooley arrived at noon today at his Volkswagen dealership on Lemmon Avenue just as the Dog Adoption Event was getting underway, he was surprised, saying, “There are so many people here.”

Yup, while food trucks and games were bustling with folks, inside the showroom were a multitude of people and pooches. Some of the dogs were in crates topped with personality forms that sounded more like a dating app — “Lovable;” “Not looking for adoption. Looking for a best friend forever;” “Available for you.”

Outside, Husky Serena and her foster mom, Rosie Charnley, were showstoppers with Serena’s sky-blue eyes.

Fostering and adoption were the goals of the day’s partnership with the Dallas Animal Services and its foster network, Dallas Pets Alive!, Rockwall Pets and Hearts and Bones Animal Rescue.

The surprise visitors of the day were Dallas Police Senior Corporal Scott Jay and his partner Figor, who as a team had made headlines on Sunday, April 30, when both were shot by a fleeing suspect. Scott had been shot in the chest and leg and Figor in the chest.

While still recuperating from their wounds, the two were surrounded today by fellow officers like Officer Travis Ruston, Major Patricia Mora and Deputy Chief Teena Schultz.

K-9 Sergeant Joshua Shipp explained that before Figor could return to duty, he would be put through various activities and tests to make sure he had not been traumatized by the incident. He added that it was ironic that Figor’s bullet-proof vest had arrived just this week.

On the other hand, Scott admitted that he was eager to get back to work, but that it probably wouldn’t happen until August.

To salute Scott and two-year-old Figor, Adoption Event Chair Ciara Cooley Biggers and Clay Cooley presented Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia with a $20,000 check for the K-9 program, as well as an oversized get-well card for Scott and Figor.

Asked why he’d shown up, Garcia said, “Two reasons. One, because this kind of amazing support from the community, and the business community, doesn’t happen everywhere.”

The chief added that in California — where he worked before coming to Dallas — “the support is there, but people are almost afraid to say they support law enforcement. The second reason is because [Scott Jay and Figor] are heroes. This guy right here saved an officer’s life — and gave Corporal Jay the opportunity to fight back in the face of evil.”

In checking on his canine officer, Garcia got eye-to-eye with Figor, who wagged his tail. Looking up at his fellow officers Garcia said, “Great looking dog.”