I tell the teen, “When you are free, DO NOT MOVE. Your leg is badly injured, and you need medical attention. I will lower the dog, then come back up to help you down. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
I tell Batman as I lower myself into position. “Good job, buddy. You’re one helluva K9.” Then I hook his leash onto his collar, wrap the end around my hand, the grab the loose skin behind his neck and lift him. “Release.”
Batman opens his mouth and Tyrone’s leg oozes blood. I lower Batman with his leash to the ground, then I drop it and he looks back up at me. “Stay.” I tell him and he sits, watching me.
I climb back up to Tyrone, and ask him, “Do you think you can climb down if I hold on to you, or do I need to carry you?”
He looks down and says, “I think I can make it.”
“Okay, I’m going to hold onto to you by your belt. You won’t fall. I won’t let you. Go slow and take your time.”
He nods so I grab his belt and lift his weight off the top rail. Enough that he can push his torso back over and begin to climb down.
Once we are on the ground, I remind him. “Face down. Arms out!”
He complies, dropping to his knees and laying spread eagle. I remove his belt and use it to secure his hands behind his back.
“Hang tight, Tyrone, while I call this in. We’ll get you to the hospital to treat the dog bite.”
“Okay, man. How bad is it? It hurts like hell.”
“You’re going to need stitches, but it’s not bad.” I reassure him. Then I give Batman the praise he deserves. Roughing his fur and patting him on the chest. “That’s my boy! That’s my man! He’s the big dog! He’s badass! Good boy! Good boy! You’re getting a big bowl of doggie peanut butter ice cream tonight, buddy.”
Next, I call dispatch, and give our location. Within minutes, a sheriff’s cruiser enters the alley and pulls up. Batman and I walk over as two deputies get out.
“Sergeant Scrooge, you good?” One of them asks, and I laugh at the nickname.
“Bah humbug, Motherfuckers.” I greet them. “He’s all yours. I haven’t arrested him. He’s your collar.” I give them a quick rundown on what went down. “He needs to go to the hospital and get the bite treated.”
They shake my hand, then one gathers the gun and knife, while the other puts him in handcuffs and reads him his rights. When they load him into their cruiser, Batman and I head back to Blake’s.
