Bizarre Incidents Reported Across La Plata County

From lost dogs to abandoned vehicles, the local police blotter details a range of unusual calls over a one-week period.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:25am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken car part or abandoned personal item, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the diverse range of calls handled by the La Plata County Sheriff's Office.A blotter of unusual incidents reveals the varied responsibilities of local law enforcement.Durango Today

The La Plata County Sheriff's Office responded to a variety of unusual incidents over the course of a week, including reports of a lost dog, a car driving on the wrong side of the road, an upside-down vehicle, a rooster dropped off at a reservoir, suspicious activity at an abandoned home, a dog killing chickens, a loose tire causing crashes, and two older men blocking traffic on ATVs.

Why it matters

These types of random, often bizarre calls are a regular part of law enforcement's daily duties, providing a window into the diverse range of issues officers must respond to in a given community. While individually minor, collectively these incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of police work and the need for officers to be prepared to handle a wide variety of situations.

The details

The incidents reported to the La Plata County Sheriff's Office over the week of April 3-10 included a lost dog found on County Road 321, a car speeding and passing on a double-yellow line near Gem Village, a man pushing a cart down the middle of South Camino del Rio, an upside-down car near County Road 502, a rooster dropped off at the Pastorius Reservoir on County Road 304, suspicious activity at an abandoned home on May Rose Lane, a small white dog under a fence on County Road 309A, a dog killing chickens on County Road 311, a loose tire on US Highway 550 causing crashes, two older men blocking traffic with ATVs on Pine Ridge Drive, and a man sleeping in a truck on County Road 203.

  • On April 3, the incidents occurred at 4:59 p.m. and 8:11 p.m.
  • On April 4 (Saturday), the incidents occurred at 1:04 a.m. and 4:31 a.m.
  • On April 5 (Sunday), the incident occurred at 1:25 p.m.
  • On April 6 (Monday), the incident occurred at 7:53 a.m.
  • On April 10 (Thursday), the incidents occurred at 8:05 a.m. and 2:57 p.m.
  • On April 11 (Friday), the incident occurred at 3:25 a.m.

The players

La Plata County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency responsible for responding to and documenting these diverse incidents across the county.

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The takeaway

This police blotter illustrates the wide range of calls and situations that law enforcement must be prepared to handle on a daily basis, from lost pets to reckless driving to suspicious activity. While individually minor, these types of incidents collectively demonstrate the unpredictable nature of police work and the need for officers to maintain vigilance and adaptability in serving their communities.