Helicopter crew rescues dog from flooded Los Angeles River
By APFriday, January 22, 2010
Crew rescues dog from LA River
LOS ANGELES — A helicopter has hoisted a dog to safety after being stranded more than an hour in the Los Angeles River.
A firefighter deployed on a harness grabbed the dog from the water and held tight Friday as the helicopter brought them to a nearby overpass.
City fire spokesman Erik Scott says at least 50 firefighters responded to a report of a dog in the storm-swollen river at about 11:20 a.m.
The dog tried to scramble up the steep concrete sides for more than an hour as crews dangled life vests and a float ring from above.
A city firefighter finally splashed down from the helicopter, wrestled with the frightened canine, wrapped a rope around it and lifted it to safety.
Scott did not know the breed of the dog or if it belongs to someone.
