By Brett Callwood
Two local students were honored at a recent City Council meeting following the rescue of a dog from a trash compactor.
Mayor Tasha Cerda said, “On Friday, December 19 of 2025 at approximately 2 p.m., Ashley Lotman, Kali Bragg, and Josiah Davis were walking Mosfukai Park on Normandie Avenue. While walking, they heard the sounds of what sounded like a distressed dog, barking and crying out for help from a locked trash compactor. Without hesitation and with disregard for their own agenda that day, the three of them recognized the potential for danger and animal safety, and stopped to take the appropriate and responsible action by having animal control be notified for immediate assistance. Their sound judgement and willingness to act rather than ignore ensured that an abandoned and abused small white terrier was rescued and removed from imminent danger, and eventually adopted into a new home.”
Mayor Cerda then thanked the different departments that were involved in the rescue, including code enforcement, Gardena Police Department, the Fire Department, GTrans and Public Works.
The dog, a terrier mix, was adopted by police officer Nick Beerling, and is named Norm. Meanwhile, the three individuals were presented with certificates of commendation.
According to a report on NBC, Officer Beerling “was out working when he says they received a call about whimpering coming from a trash can outside a local church. Animal control officers were sent to the area and they then called Gardena police for some help because the trash can was locked, Beerling said. The fire department was then called for help to cut the lock off of the trash can.”
“We looked into it a little bit further and found out it was like a self-compacting type trash can that eventually would have, unfortunately might have crushed him,” Beerling told NBC.
Beerling continued by saying his wife had already been interested in getting a dog, and once he met Norm he thought he could be a good fit for his family.
“The girls and I have been trying to convince him to get another pet for a while and he hasn’t wanted to commit but this little guy just tugged on his heart,” his wife said.
