Crews rescued a lost dog after he was found trapped and surrounded by water in the California Aqueduct last week in San Bernardino County.
Video shows the moment San Bernardino County Fire crews sprang into action around 6:19 p.m. on Sept. 4 to save the dog stranded on a structural member in the middle of the aqueduct.
The dog, which had been missing for five days, was spotted by a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation helicopter conducting an aerial search for a missing person. The crew promptly alerted SBCoFD dispatchers, and an engine, an Urban Search and Rescue unit, a Swift Water Rescue team, a medic ambulance, and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the scene near Manzano Road and Hacienda Road.
Crews quickly realized the peril — swift-moving water and a vulnerable animal demanded urgent action.
Firefighters suited up in specialized swift-water rescue gear and executed a rapid plan. A rescuer was lowered into the aqueduct, secured a harness around the dog, and the crew above lifted him safely to shore. Thanks to the coordinated efforts, the dog was rescued unharmed.
“This rescue highlights the adaptability of our firefighters and the importance of interagency coordination,” said Battalion Chief Sean Solis. “We are grateful for the Sheriff’s Aviation crew spotting the animal and helping us bring it to safety.”
After the rescue, the Sheriff’s helicopter flew overhead, broadcasting the news over its PA system in hopes of finding an owner.
KTLA later connected with the dog’s owner, who wanted to remain anonymous. She said her dog was likely on his way home when he got stuck in the aqueduct, as she lives near the location where he was found.
“I put signs up and everything for days trying to find him,” she said, explaining that he went missing on Saturday, Aug. 30. “My puppy also went with him, but she was able to be found off a post on Facebook, so I got her back on Monday.”
The owner said the two dogs must have had quite the adventure, saying they traveled “pretty far if they took the aqueduct all the way down and back.”
Now safely reunited with their owner, SBCoFD is reminding pet owners to keep animals safely away from aqueducts and other fast-moving waterways—conditions that can quickly become dangerous.