Helicopter, 50 firefighters deployed to rescue dog The Los Angeles Fire Department has defended its decision to deploy about 50 firefighters and a helicopter to rescue a dog from the Los Angeles River.
Posted on 01/29/2010 4:00:09 AM PST by JoeProBono
Vernon the mystery dog is mysterious no longer: The German shepherd mix, whose dramatic rescue last week from the flooded L.A. River was carried live on many TV news stations, has been reclaimed by his owner.
The dog had been taken to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority shelter in Downey after his rescue, and animal control officers had been unable to locate his owner because he wasn't wearing ID tags and hadn't been microchipped. Officers called him Vernon after the city in which he was rescued.
Turns out, Vernon's name is really Spikey, and he's owned by an elderly woman who lives in Maywood. According to the family friend who went to claim him Tuesday, the dog's owner speaks only Spanish and, since the rescue didn't receive as much attention on Spanish-language TV, she wasn't aware that her dog had become a media sensation until a friend alerted her several days later.....
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
Helicopter, 50 firefighters deployed to rescue dog The Los Angeles Fire Department has defended its decision to deploy about 50 firefighters and a helicopter to rescue a dog from the Los Angeles River.
It is the humane thing to do. They would have gotten unbelievable flak had they not rescued the dog, and just let it be swept away to a certain death. Plus in the eyes of God it’s good and that’s what matters.
Capt. Steve Ruda said the risk involved with saving the German shepherd from the storm-swollen river on Friday was not as extravagant as it appeared.
The department has received praise for the hour-long rescue operation, but has also come under criticism for using so many resources.
Mr Ruda said there was no extra cost because the firefighters were on duty and stationed nearby.
The German shepherd, nicknamed Vernon after the southern California town where it was found, was saved when a firefighter dangling from a helicopter grabbed the dog and held tight as they were taken to an overpass. The dog bit the firefighter, who lost a nail and fractured his thumb.
Joe St Georges, 50, said he had no hard feelings toward the dog.
"I didn't really have the time to establish any rapport with the dog," Mr St Georges told reporters after being released from County USC medical centre. "He's cold, he's wet, he's scared, and then here's this stranger jumping on his back for all intents and purposes, and he did what dogs do."
The animal had no name tag or chip, and police are searching for its owner.
I agree. The dog’s death would have been filmed. Besides, I’d rather waste my taxes dollars on this than a lot of other stuff that does on ...
There was also the possibility that a *Good Samaritan civilian* may have risked his/her life by trying to save the dog (had the attempt been abandoned by the rescue team)
That could have been much more serious & problematic for the FD.
Good preventive action, good training and good job.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. Gentleman of the jury: A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.
And that’s why we rescue dogs in this country.
They had had many requests across the country to adopt this dog, well, what about that handsome brown one in the cage next door? He looks like a nice dog to me.
The next time a lost mountain climber is rescued and then asked to pay for their rescue I hope he point to this.
Yeah!
A happy ending at last. Thanks, I needed that.
Yes, I know, that’s Rufus....
So, where did she think her dog was?
I gather from the story that if she was English-speaking she would have seen her dog on TV.
So, where did she think her dog was?
I gather from the story that if she was English-speaking she would have seen her dog on TV.
Not to mention that the rescue crews need this kind of practice to keep their skills sharp.
No matter what, it’s a happy ending... and just what the other poster have said, let’s save the other dog next door... RUFUS
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