A stranded dog in Florida lucked out recently when a child passing by noticed the pup was stuck in the mud and notified rescuers.
Student Spots Stranded Dog in Mud
The student was walking to school earlier this week in Tampa when they passed by the shallow end of a pond and noticed a dog “trapped on some floating vegetation” in the mud. The child alerted Hillsborough County Animal Control. When animal control officers arrived at Lucy Dell Park, they surveyed the scene and realized they couldn’t safely rescue the stuck pup, so Hillsborough County Fire Rescue was dispatched instead.
A fire crew arrived and embarked on a complicated mission to rescue the canine from the pond.
“Crews set up a rope system to lower a lone rescuer, FireMedic 1 Gilbert ‘Gil’ Navas, into the water,” a Facebook post by HCFR read. “Navas made his way to the stranded dog and lassoed him with equipment provided by Animal Control. Navas then carried the dog back toward the boardwalk, where crews from Animal Control safely lifted the canine using a large net. HCFR crews used ropes to lift Navas back up to the boardwalk safely.”
Rescued Dog Awaits Forever Home
The rescuers documented their heroic efforts with a few pictures, then transported the pup to a veterinarian exam, where he was given vaccinations and deemed uninjured. The dog did not have a microchip, so he is now being cared for at the Pet Resource Center. It appears no parents have come forward to claim him and he is now eligible for adoption.
Facebook followers praised both the child who alerted authorities to the incident as well as the firefighters who came to Gil’s rescue.
“Good job to the child who saw the dog and knew to ask for help!” one commenter wrote.
“Nice job, ‘Gil’ should be adopted by Gil,” another opined.
“Great job HCFR, hope the pup finds a furever home,” a third fan chimed in.
Gil’s shelter profile reports that the canine is “shy” and seems “very unsure about himself” but took treats well and “let potential adopter pet him and love on him.”
Here’s hoping he finds a warm, safe, and dry place to call home soon!
