** Ohio man gets 5 years in prison for attacking paramedic, ramming police cruisers during chase
** Texas paramedics in Amarillo get therapy dog to help out in hard times
UNITED STATES NEWS
** An Ohio man from Youngstown will spend the next 5 years in prison after being convicted Monday of attacking a paramedic. The Vindicator (September 13) said Brandon Liggens, 36, was sentenced after being found guilty of felonious assault x 2, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, being a felon in the possession of a firearm, assault, and endangering children x 2. According to the newspaper, Liggens kicked a paramedic July 3rd at a call scene before leaving in his car and sparking a police chase. He then rammed two police cruisers while two children were in the vehicle with him. The chase finally ended after a police car rammed Liggens’ vehicle. A search near the area where the car stopped found both a revolver and an assault rifle. Police said they had witnessed him toss something out of the car in the vicinity of the find.
** EMS practitioners in Amarillo, Texas have added a certified therapy dog to their prehospital team. That is the word from KAMR (September 13) which said the Goldendooge named Saydee is expected to assist providers after they have attended on traumatic events. Saydee, who belongs to Amarillo Medical Services senior department coordinator Lauren Christie, will also do hospital visits. In addition, she will appear at community events to help children feel more comfortable in an ambulance setting. Continuing her training daily, Saydee is a social dog, hypoallergenic, and doesn’t shed. She is now 1-year-old.
