Skully, The Dog !

With heavy hearts, Inspector Lou Del Rio and members of The Providence Police Department’s Mounted Command announce the passing away this past May of “Sergeant Skully”, their stable dog and ever-vigilant companion.

In 1985, when Skully was two years old, he was picked up as a stray on the streets of Providence by Animal Control Officers. After a short stay at the pound, he was adopted by the PPD Mounted Command and given a home at their stable off Allens Avenue. When the Mounted Command was moved out of town and headquartered in North Smithfield and in Seekonk for five years, Inspector Del Rio and his wife, Jane adopted Skully and took him home. But Skully continued to go to work everyday at the horse stable with Del Rio. And when Mayor Cianci and the Police and Parks Departments opened a new stable facility in Roger Williams Park, Skully made that move as well. He would often be seen “walking home for lunch” from the horse stable in the park to Del Rio’s home in nearby Washington Park, then back to work again.

Many people wondered why a dog was kept at the stable. In addition to the security a dog provides, Skully’s job was to continuously be around the horses, befriending them, and allowing the police mounts to grow accustomed to a dog. In that manner, when the horses are working patrol duties on the streets of Providence, they would not be startled by barking dogs when come upon.

In his younger years, Skully, when asked to, would also herd the horses towards the corral gates when it was time to gather them in for the day. That made it a lot easier for the animal handler who had to fetch the horses from the field. That was a job Skully relished. Running and yapping at the horse’s heals, and making them all move toward the gates undoubtedly made him feel like the kingpin.

And Skully was a friend to all children. It always amazed everyone to see how tolerant of their behavior he was. Never once giving the slightest hint of annoyance at their smothering attention, instead languishing in it like a movie star.

Skully had a rich, full life and he is missed by all who made his acquaintance. Thanks to the good work and adoption services of the Providence dog pound, many dogs and cats like Skully are rescued everyday from city streets and go on to become members of families who love them.

Sergeant Skully is now laid to rest at the Mounted Command facility in Roger Williams Park, where he used to love to work and play with the horses and the police and civilian staff of the Mounted Command. We are sure that wherever Skully may be, he continues to cast a watchful eye over the herd. We are grateful for the time he spent here on earth with us, and for the condolences expressed by the many friends he endeared throughout his sixteen years.