A painful rescue in Bonita involved a dog, a cactus patch, and San Diego County Animal Services.
Here’s what to know
On September 16, 2026, San Diego County Animal Services Officer Morris and a trainee rescued a dog stuck in heavy cactus brush by going into the patch themselves, according to NBC San Diego. The dog was eventually freed with cactus spines covering him from head to toe.
San Diego County shared details of the rescue, including a video, in a September 17 post on X. The officers acted “without hesitation” as the county wrote, “Officer Morris and his trainee pushed through the needles right along with him to get him out safely.”
Our animal control officers didn’t hesitate to wade straight into a cactus patch in Bonita to reach a dog who was trapped and covered in cactus spines. Officer Morris and his trainee pushed through the needles right along with him to get him out safely. The dog was taken to our Bonita Shelter, where veterinary staff carefully removed the cactus spines from his body and mouth and started him on much‑needed care. He likely hadn’t eaten in several days, but he never stopped being a good boy.
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) September 17, 2026
NBC San Diego reported that the dog was taken to the South County Animal Shelter in Bonita for an emergency evaluation where the veterinary staff had to remove several spines from his body and mouth…