Furry hero: Dog’s barking alerted woman to would-be burglar
Published: March 28, 2007
Mimi is a senior citizen among canines.
She’s 16 years old.
But don’t try to get one past her.
Mimi is Joanne Panzarella’s dog.
All of perhaps 15 pounds, the mixed-breed dog wears a hero’s badge.
It was Mimi’s barking that awakened Panzarella the other day, just in time for her to place a call to 911.
And that call, in turn, resulted in the apprehension by state police troopers of a would-be burglar in the West Hazleton bar and café that Panzarella manages.
“That dog means a lot to her,” said Janice Dellaguardia, who’s a friend of Mimi’s owner.
“She protected her owner and the establishment,” Dellaguardia said.
“I talked with my friend and she said Mimi was going nuts” after hearing noises on the first floor and basement of Richie’s Café on Washington Avenue.
The dog, Dellaguardia said, “actually alerted (Janice) to the noise” from downstairs.
Panzarella and Mimi live on the second floor – above the business area.
And during the business day, Mimi keeps her owner company, watching customers come and go from an alcove off the rear of the bar.
“I would like to see if Mimi could be recognized with a canine heroism award,” Dellaguardia said.
“I know it was a very scary experience for her. Because of the dog hearing the noise, she was able to get on the phone right away” and call for help.
Troopers from the Hazleton station arrived moments after Panzarella called and reported finding 20-year-old Phillip J. Jadush IV inside the bar before dawn on March 18.
Jadush, of Hazleton, was taken into custody and later charged with burglary, criminal trespass, possessing instruments of crime and several other offenses.
He was later arraigned on the charges and scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Luzerne County Central Court.
Panzarella, taking a break from her chores at Richie’s on Monday afternoon, said troopers deserve credit as well.
“They were here real fast. But they got him, thank God,” she said.
Dellaguardia said, “As soon as she called the police, they were there in minutes.”
“The dog did all the work. I just wanted to give her credit.”
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