K-9 Police Officer Saves Choking Dog

West Hartford K-9 Officer Tom Lazure reponded to the report of a choking pet at 99 Norwood Rd. on Monday afternoon, and was able to save the family's Shih-Tzu by performing a modified Heimlich maneuver, police said.

According to a release issued by the , there was no animal control officer available so Lazure, who is trained in basic canine first aid, was called to the scene.

According to police, "Upon arrival he was met by frantic family members who reported that the family Shih-Tzu was not breathing due to a choking incident."

Lazure performed a modified Heimlich maneuver on 10-year-old Harry – pressing onto the canine's rib cage along with positioning that enabled the item – a piece of rawhide – to loosen itself. Lazure was able to remove the rawhide from Harry's mouth, allowing him to breathe.

Police report that Harry was checked by a local veterinarian, is in good health, and is expected to make a full recovery.