Mustang Sally celebrated her 3rd birthday on March 3, 2026! She felt the love of the town with hundreds of birthday wishes on her Facebook Page (Mustang Sally!) It’s never too late to jump on her page with some belated congrats….or, if you happen to bump into her around town, an extra hug would be fine too!

For those new to town, Mustang Sally (named from resident suggestions), was welcomed into the Norwood Police Department (NPD) after the tragic murder of Norwood resident Tyler Lawerence in Boston when police departments brought their comfort dogs to the Coakley Middle School to help ease student grief and heartbreak. Norwood officer, and Sally handler Geoffrey Baguma, proposed the idea of bringing a dog into the NPD family to former Norwood Police Chief Brooks, and the rest is history! 

“Sally is a very BIG hit throughout the community,” Officer Baguma said. “I think that part of it is that she visits every corner of the community and is always very happy to greet everyone in her great hometown.”

While Mustang Sally has been seen at virtually every town event and ‘walking her beat,’ she has also spent the past three years learning. It’s not all fun and games as a canine member of the Norwood PD!

In addition to being a welcoming and comforting friend, Sally has been developing some great tracking skills. For those interested in viewing Sally in tracking action visit her Facebook page, Mustang Sally. She also has her own Instagram page at MustangSallyNPD.

Beyond Animal Control: Rescue & Recovery

When considering adding a furry companion to your family, the Norwood Animal Shelter should always be at the top of your list. While many residents are familiar with the important role Animal Control Officers play in assisting with lost pets and responding to wildlife concerns (as highlighted on our front page), what often goes unseen is the compassionate, hands-on care that happens every day behind the shelter doors.

Beyond their field work, the shelter staff dedicate countless hours to nurturing, healing, and rehabilitating animals in need; giving them not just a second chance, but a fresh start in a loving home.

Take Rita, for example. When she first arrived, she was in rough shape and clearly in need of extra care and attention. With patience, proper medical treatment, and a lot of love, Rita began to thrive. Today, she’s a completely different animal, healthy, happy, and ready to bring joy to a new family.

Then there’s Blue, who came to the shelter scared and unsure of his surroundings. Through gentle handling and consistent care, Blue is gradually learning to trust again. His transformation is a testament to the dedication of the shelter team.

Stories like Rita and Blue remind us that the Norwood Animal Shelter is so much more than a temporary stop, it’s a place of hope, healing, and new beginnings. If you’re thinking about adopting, remember the Norwood Animal Shelter. To stay up to date on their tireless work and animals for adoption, visit their Facebook page at Norwood Animal Control, or the town website at Norwood.gov/residents/animalcontrol. The Norwood Animal Shelter is located at 160 Bos.-Prov. Highway (N), their phone number is 781-762-3159, and email is [email protected].