Camel Sworn In As L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy

chadtm80 · #1 Postby **chadtm80** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 2:36 pm

SAN DIMAS, Calif. -- He's been on the job for a while, but it became official last week: Bert the camel is now a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy.

Bert, who weighs in at 1,700 pounds, got his sheriff's ID card after a swearing-in ceremony Saturday during a festival in this city 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Bert is a member of the Sheriff's Posse in San Dimas and visits area schools as part of a presentation on California history, said Nancy Fite, a member of the Sheriff's Posse and Bert's handler.

"He's very intelligent," Fite said.

In California, Bert's ancestors were once part of the U.S. garrison at Fort Tejon, which operated between 1854 and 1864, about 77 miles north of Los Angeles.

Bert joins other members of the sheriff's four-footed force that also includes dogs and horses.

Bert, not quite full grown at 6, was joined at the swearing in by two other reservists, Muffin and Brougan, a pair of 100-pound-plus bull mastiffs. Like Bert, the two dogs are not crime fighters, but public relations representatives

#2 Postby **bfez1** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 2:44 pm

You have got to be kidding :lol:

Skywatch_NC · #3 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 2:45 pm

Nobody better tick off Bert...he might spit on 'em! :o :lol:

mf_dolphin · #4 Postby **mf_dolphin** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 3:02 pm

Actually the swearing in of animals is pretty common. This enable people who try to harm police animals with the same type of charges as would apply to a human police officer. The camel has to be a first though! LOL

StormCrazyIowan · #5 Postby **StormCrazyIowan** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 3:13 pm

Hehehe, nice to read funny news sometimes instead of just bad news!

#6 Postby **streetsoldier** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 3:16 pm

Does L.A. County have a jockey in mind for it?

Lindaloo · #7 Postby **Lindaloo** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 3:20 pm

I have witnessed the "swearing in" of police dogs, but this is a first with the camel. To each their own I guess.

When police dogs die of natural causes or are killed in action, they get the same funeral procession as a fallen police officer. I would not want to be a pall bearer if something ever happened to that camel! :o :lol:

mf_dolphin · #8 Postby **mf_dolphin** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 6:13 pm

At least I hope it only has one hump! That would be one funny looking coffin for sure! :-)

weatherwunder · #9 Postby **weatherwunder** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 7:26 pm

That is kinda cool. My nickname in real life is Camel!!

chadtm80 · #10 Postby **chadtm80** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 7:36 pm

hey azsnowman... Could you use a drug sniffing camel?????

Amanzi · #11 Postby **Amanzi** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:08 pm

LOL @ the drug sniffing camel.

All I know is the camels are the stinkiest animals at the zoo (next to the giraffes) I love camels eye-lashes there soooo long.

#12 Postby **wx247** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:45 pm

LOL. Well...that is a neat story, especially since he serves a purpose.

chadtm80 · #13 Postby **chadtm80** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 9:42 am

Guest · #14 Postby **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 9:46 am

I think its neat - especially if it gets the attention of kids. I wonder where they keep him - at the zoo perhaps?

patricia

weatherlover427 · #15 Postby **weatherlover427** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 10:59 am

LOL, "Officer Camel, radio in please."

Bert: "Bbbbbbbb" *sound of lips flapping*

:lol:

ColdFront77 · #16 Postby **ColdFront77** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:18 pm

Chad, nice image! :lol:

A camel makes a better Sherrif deputy than a lot of other animals.

Camel Sworn In As L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy

Camel Sworn In As L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy

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