Escaped St. Bernard goes shopping

Bradenton Police Officers responded to a call from the Dollar General on Manatee Ave. W. in reference to a giant dog that wouldn't leave. Officers dispatched to the store found a 135-pound St. Bernard roaming the aisles. According to the store clerk, the plus-sized pooch walked through the front doors, “like he was dropping in to pick up a few things” and then meandered around, visiting the break room and stock room during his hours-long visit. The courteous canine didn’t bother staff or shoppers while browsing, however at closing time the befuddled clerks weren’t quite sure what to do about their new co-worker, and they didn’t want to let him roam the streets at night.

After sizing up the situation, officers used a slip lead to guide the docile doggy outside, just in time for the somewhat panicked pet parent to arrive. He explained that the dog, Bentley, is four years old, and an accomplished escape artist. The stealthy, albeit slow, St. Bernard merely walked through a broken gate and just kept going.

Bentley’s owner provided proof the dog was his - although officers declined to verify that he has a tattoo of the pup on his behind. Moreover, Bentley does have a microchip.

Officer Affolter, Officer Chase Huddelson, Sergeant Alexandra Emrich and Bentley