Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Lyons highlighted the department’s commitment to community policing—even when the “suspects” have four legs
photo courtesy of Barstool Sports personality Michael McCarthy
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, It was a New Year’s Eve to remember for Barstool Sports personality Michael McCarthy, better known to his fans as “Large.” But instead of a countdown in Times Square, McCarthy was busy orchestrating a “midnight prison break” at the Ridgewood Police Department.
The reason? His beloved dog, O’Shea, had been taken into “custody” after wandering off—and the rescue story is serving as a viral reminder for pet owners across North Jersey.
A New Year’s Eve Rescue
On December 31, the finance blogger and media personality took to social media to praise the officers in his hometown. Despite O’Shea not wearing a collar at the time he went missing, the Ridgewood Police managed to secure the pup and identify his owner with lightning speed.
“Just conducted a midnight prison break,” McCarthy posted on Facebook. “Shoutout to Ridgewood Police for getting O’Shea back home safely. Greatest local police in NJ.”
McCarthy noted that the police had his dog safely at headquarters within just 30 minutes of him being lost, and he received a call minutes later.
The Secret to the Speedy Reunion: Microchips & Technology
How did the police identify a dog with no collar so quickly? McCarthy used the happy ending to share a vital tip for all Bergen County pet owners: Get your pet a location chip.
While the chip was the hero of this story, social media commenters were quick to add that combining a microchip with a GPS tracker (like an AirTag or Whistle) provides the ultimate safety net for adventurous pets.
Ridgewood Police: More Than Just Law Enforcement
Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Lyons highlighted the department’s commitment to community policing—even when the “suspects” have four legs.
“I don’t have the exact number of dogs we get per month, but we have been very successful when we bring them back to headquarters and put them on our social media,” Chief Lyons stated. “We get them reunited with their family very quickly.”
The department’s proactive use of social media to post “dog mugshots” has turned the Ridgewood PD into a local hub for reuniting lost pets with their families.
Pet Safety Checklist for Bergen County Residents
To avoid needing your own “midnight prison break,” consider these steps for your pets:
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Update the Microchip: Ensure your contact information is current in the national database.
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Collar & Tags: Even if your dog is chipped, a visible tag is the fastest way for a neighbor to help.
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GPS Trackers: Devices like AirTags can provide real-time location data if your pet escapes.
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Follow Local PD: Follow the Ridgewood Police (and your local town’s page) on social media for real-time lost and found updates.
Quick Facts: The O’Shea “Prison Break”
| Detail | Information |
| Owner | Michael “Large” McCarthy (Barstool Sports) |
| Location | Ridgewood, NJ (Bergen County) |
| Recovery Time | Under 45 minutes |
| Key Takeaway | Microchips save lives |
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If you don’t HAVE a dog, you can’t LOSE a dog. Just my opinion.