By Tony Rizzo

The Kansas City Star

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Two large dogs running loose near a major roadway during rush hour can be a potentially dangerous situation for the animals and passing motorists.

Tuesday morning, two Kansas City police officers intervened to make sure nothing bad happened, and a picture snapped by a passing motorist prompted people to praise their action.

Debbie Davis of Belton was on her way to work when she saw an officer with the dogs. She took a picture and posted it on a website about lost animals.



(Debbie Davis/KCPD Image)

"It was awesome to see," Davis said. "They were heroes."

The incident occurred along Bruce Watkins Drive near 75th Street. A Kansas City police spokeswoman said the motorcycle officer in the photo was helping another traffic officer keep the dogs from getting into the busy road until animal control officers arrived.

The dogs — a husky and a Dutch shepherd — were taken to the animal shelter run by KC Pet Project.

Later Tuesday, the owner of one dog retrieved it at the shelter, said Tori Fugate of KC Pet Project. The other dog belonged to that owner's roommate, who was expected later, Fugate said.

She said the first owner wasn't sure how the dogs got loose.

"They were beautiful dogs," Fugate said. "The owner was very thankful to the police for what they did."

Copyright 2014 The Kansas City Star