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Attorney General Ashley Moody makes stop in Lady Lake to celebrate officers, K-9s

LADY LAKE — Attorney General Ashley Moody visited Lady Lake on Friday to recognize a few good men — and a few good boys.

Moody joined Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell and Lady Lake Police Chief Robert Tempesta to celebrate officers Friday as part of her Thin Line Tribute tour of local law enforcement agencies.

She paid special attention to the K-9 units.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks at the Thin Line Tribute event in Lady Lake on on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Also pictured is Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, left, and Lady Lake Police Chief Robert Tempesta. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks at the Thin Line Tribute event in Lady Lake on on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Also pictured is Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, left, and Lady Lake Police Chief Robert Tempesta. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]

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Moody highlighted the important roles K-9 officers play, including tracking suspects or sniffing out narcotics and bombs. But these animals also help find missing children or calm victims of crimes — some even help de-escalate violent situations.

“Not only do they have have to engage folks who are committing crimes, they’re also expected to lend a helping hand to victims,” Moody said. “I’m so proud of the Lake County Sheriff’s office, who said ‘When we encounter stressful situations, what can help us do that job better?’ And they thought of bringing in trained dogs to help calm victims.”

From left, Jetty, Eve and Mia attend the Thin Line Tribute event in Lady Lake on on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]
From left, Jetty, Eve and Mia attend the Thin Line Tribute event in Lady Lake on on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]

Moody introduced K-9 deputies Eve, Maria and Jetty, who have already interacted with children who are victims of crime.

Grinnell said the dogs have already helped bring about “many positive outcomes with our citizens in need.”

Lake County Cpl. Robert Bedgood speaks about the use of therapy dogs at the Thin Line Tribute event in Lady Lake on on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]
Lake County Cpl. Robert Bedgood speaks about the use of therapy dogs at the Thin Line Tribute event in Lady Lake on on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]

Cpl. Robert Bedgood, who acts as a handler with the sheriff's office, said the dogs have been a particular help in area schools. He said all three dogs have been to two schools this year alone to help students and staff heal from trauma.

“I have seen an amazing change starting to happen in our schools. Our kids are now interacting with us as school resource officers and they’re seeing us differently than they’ve ever seen us before,” Bedgood said.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Florida Attorney General Moody celebrates law enforcement, K9s in Lady Lake