Ginger The Wonder Dog Of Clinton To Receive Governor's Foot Guard Award

Ginger, the mixed-breed dog who chased an armed gunman out of her territory - the interior of the on 140 Killingworth Turnpike last month, will receive an award for bravery this Sunday by the First Company Governor's Foot Guard Athletic Association at their annual dog show. 

The 80th Annual Dog Show & Obedience Trials will be held Feb. 20, 8am, at the XL Center Exhibition Hall in Hartford.

Ginger will receive the "Stubby" award in honor of a brave canine soldier of the 1917 102nd Infantry.

According to information received from the Governor's Foot Guard, the Stubby Award for Canine Heroism is named in honor of a mixed breed pup adopted by a member of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard and smuggled overseas by his owner. Stubby saved soldiers from sure death by alerting them to a gas attack.  By the end of the war, after being wounded multiple times and performing other heroic actions such as finding and holding a German spy for allied troops, Stubby was promoted to Sergeant and received several awards. 

Today, the First Company Governor's Foot Guard continues to recognize special animals by presenting the Stubby Awards to dogs involved in acts of heroism in the State of Connecticut.

Ginger is being honored for her sole role in chasing a man dressed head to toe in black, including wearing a black ski mask and carrying a weapon, out of the liquor store. According to her owners Ann Marie and Dan Cewe, who own the store, the dog ran out from behind the counter when she heard an unfamiliar noise - the sound of the gunman allegedly clicking off the safety on his pistol. That sound was enough to alert Ginger that something wasn’t right.

“She came out behind the back of the store and chased the man out of the store,” said Ann Marie Cewe.

Ginger was definitely responsible for thwarting a possible robbery or worse, said police.

According to Officer Allyson Skeens of the Clinton Police Department who was the first on the scene, the suspect is described as a black male, with a thin build, about 5 feet 8 inches in height.

It is believed the suspect ran to a vehicle stopped and waiting on Rte 81 just south of Egypt Lane.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Clinton Police department at 860-669-0451. 

For more information on the 80th Annual Dog Show & Obedience Trials held Feb. 20, go to www.governorsfootguard.com/dogshow. Tickets are $8 for adults; $5 for seniors and military; children 12 and under free.