Animal Rescue League's Law Enforcement Officer Gets Major Award

Only ten recipients received the prestigious award in the United States, and one of them was Animal Rescue League of Boston's Law Enforcement Director Lt. Alan Borgal.

Borgal received the Maddie's Fund Hero Award, established by the fund, which is a national family foundation started by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. They specifically established the Hero Award to honor those who are leading the way in animal welfare with innovative ideas, progressive thinking and lifesaving actions. Award winners also exemplify Maddie’s Fund’s core values of honesty, integrity and mutual respect, said the announcement.

In addition to the award, Maddie’s Fund is also bestowing a $10,000 grant to ARL in Lt. Borgal’s name.

Lt. Borgal has been employed by ARL for 42 years, and has been a Massachusetts Special State Police Officer since 1981.

“Lt. Borgal is an inspiration to all and this honor could not be more deserving,” ARL President Mary Nee said in a statement. “His contributions to protecting the safety and well-being of animals throughout the Commonwealth simply cannot be measured.”

Borgal also assists ARL’s Rescue Services, and loves the hands-on work of rescuing animals in difficult circumstances.

According to the announcement, perhaps Lt. Borgal’s most notable rescue was in 1986, when he saved Ruthy the Asian Elephant while issuing a search warrant in Essex. Ruthy’is still alive today and living out her life at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford. After all these years, Lt. Borgal still visits her to this day.

Photo Animal Rescue League of Boston