A Nassau police officer who was called to a report of an abandoned dog wound up pairing the pooch with a member of his own family.

Brooklyn is a 1-year-old German shepherd who was left behind in a basement apartment when his owners moved away. The landlord called police about the dog last week, and Nassau Officer John Saleh responded to the Roosevelt home.

Saleh brought Brooklyn to the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter, where he visited the pup almost daily and brought him treats. He says he thought almost instantly of re-homing the dog with his brother-in-law, Brian Upton.

Today, the Uptons welcomed home their newest family member.

County officials recognized Officer Saleh for rescuing the pup. Matthew Upton, age 9, was impressed with his uncle as well. "I thought he was just a police officer. I didn't know he rescued dogs," said the boy.