![SAVING THE DAY FOR THE DOG: [L to R] Fire Station 136 Captain Jim Lews, Fire Engineer Jack Miller, and Firefighters Lourito and Thompson.](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Fire-Station-136-saves-drowning-dog-1.jpg)
I just had a harrowing experience where local firemen showed up – outside their call of duty – and saved a neighbor’s Doberman pinscher that was drowning in my pool.
For the third time, two dogs had escaped my neighbor’s yard and got into mine. This time, one dog fell into my pool and couldn’t get out.
I worked for 45 minutes to rescue the dog from the pool, but to no avail. I watched the dog tiring and gulping in water. I finally called 911, frantically pleading for help. I was told they wouldn’t come out since it was not my dog, putting firemen in harm’s way I assume.
They showed up anyway and corralled the dog out of the pool.
I was so fatigued and stressed by the time they got here that my voice was literally gone and I couldn’t control my trembling. I was watching this dog drown before my very eyes.
I was minutes from jumping into the pool myself, even though I knew that would endanger me since I only outweigh the dog by 30 pounds and the dog was very stressed.
Please help me tell this story to recognize our local heroes and raise awareness for the stakes of irresponsible pet ownership.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The AV Times.
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Editor’s note: Personnel from Los Angeles County Fire Station 136 responded a little after 8 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, to Solop’s home in the area of 46th Street West and Cocina Lane in Palmdale. They first tried to hoist the yelping dog from the pool, but they were unsuccessful because the dog was too stressed, according to Captain Jim Lewis. They then used poles to guide the dog to the pool’s stairs, which made it easier to rescue the frantic dog, Lewis said. The dog was extremely fatigued and would have most likely drowned had it remained in the water any longer, Lewis said.
Terri says
I have an 85 lb. pit bull who fell in the deep end of an 8 foot deep pool. All I did was call her to the side of the pool and pulled her out. There was no need to jump in and try and get her. The water made it pretty easy to pull her out and I only have 25 lbs on this dog. Never jump in when a dog is panic strictened as they will pull you under without a doubt.
JM says
As sikntired stated “Everyone’s a critic”
This was a big, scared and injured animal. First action (not re-action), grab the dog and pull her out of the pool(Keep it simple). Unfortunately that didn’t work but worth the 3 seconds it took to try it. This animal was very fatiqued and her hind quarters were hurting her quite a bit. Next but by no means the last resort, we guided her to the steps at other end of the pool. This lady did everything right, she tried to rescue this animal to no avail so she call 911.
Pepper says
Why didn’t this person put down her phone and just get into the pool and push the dog out? What kind of fool would bother the fire department about this. Unless she’s disabled. If the dogs are ending up in your yard, then block the area so they don’t. What is wrong with whole picture. I love the comment of…. basically, wheres the stars to get out of the pool. I’m done. This story is so full of non-sense.
Letlow says
YOU are full of nonsense if you think a lady who barely outweighs a Doberman can jump into a pool and push a frantic dog to safety. The lady would have been savagely attacked by the stressed out dog. Calling authorities was the correct thing to do for all involved. And why should this woman have to block the area to keep a neighbor’s dog out?! It’s the neighbor’s responsibility to contain his/dogs!!! You ask what is wrong with the whole picture, but I ask what is wrong with you. Are you the dog owner or something?! Only the dog’s owner would have the audacity to come on here and make this type of comment. SMH…
William says
While she may have been panic stricken, she could have put a patio chair (the one in the photo) or a chaise in the shallow end for the dog to use to crawl out or at least tried that.
It just seems that 45 minutes struggling wasn’t very effective.
William says
I don’t know if pool companies provide any information but, if not, they should provide emergency procedures for all kinds of possible accidents or problems.
I know there are a lot of regulations regarding home pools such as alams on patio doors and heights of fences in the yard, etc. Aren’t those little white life savers mandated? I’ve seen them on walls at houses with pools before.
There is so much odd about this story; things that need to be addressed in the future. How did the dogs get in her yard? Aren’t the fences supposed to be 6′ tall and gates and stuff like that? Was there a broken fence?
If there was a way for the dogs to get into the yard, wouldn’t a child also be able to get in as well? Isn’t the pool owner responsible for having an ‘attractive nuisance’ even if it’s not their fault? That used to be the law.
After the dogs got into her yard a couple times before, did she fix the problem? I realize the dog owner has a responsibility too but pool owners have an increased level of responsibity as well simply because they have a pool. Both parties have a responsibility because they taken on certain risks, dogs and a pool.
William says
While I’m at it, I’ve often wondered why firefighters who try to rescue someone who falls into the LA River after a big storm, try to help by dropping a rope from over an overnpass.
Why not a giant net, the width of the river with mesh about a foot square that would snag a weak or even an unconscious person as they float under the overpass? It could be weighted and designed to accomplish that whatever it took.
That has never made any sense. Does anyone know what the problem with such a net or device would be that they don’t do it?
Licensed Pool Technician says
A problem that I see right off, is the water is almost below the tile line. Good chance the skimmer is sucking air, and the splash area to the left on the 2nd picture is completely dry. Notice the extended distance from the water line to the deck. This is why the dog can’t get out, and would be difficult to impossible for older people as well. Pools can be deathly frightening to many people, it’s best they stay out, especially when alone.
William says
But, if the water level is low and there are stairs like we think of them, wouldn’t they be only a couple inches under water. After 45 minutes, you’d think if she poked at the dog, he’d eventually circle around to the stairs.
It looks like a small pool and if the dog got to the stairs only a few inches under water, even if he couldn’t climb out, he could rest on them at least.
William says
Pools should be required to have entry steps, not just ladders for situations like this or even if a child falls in. Or, even beach entries with a slope into the pool instead of a wall all around it.
It looks like there was no way for any animal to get out of that pool design.
So glad it was rescued.
Rick says
@William – The article says that the firefighters did guide the dog to the stairs.
Willaim says
How come she wasn’t able to poke or guide it to the stairs after 45 minutes and why didn’t the firefighters do that at first instead of trying to hoist it?
Something doesn’t make sense. The photo of the dog trying to climb out hmself shows he was willing to do that. If he was guided toward the stairs, he would have felt them under his front paws immediately.
What kind of stairs were they that that was such a difficult ‘last resort’ effort on the part of both the woman and the firefighters? I’ve seen pools where the first step of the stairs is maybe 10 inches or less under the water’s surface, something a dog could easily find and manage. Yet, it was the last thing attempted.
Does that make sense to you, Rick?
KayDee says
Just a wild guess, but I think they tried to lift it out first because the poor dog was probably so tired from 45 min spent trying to get out of the pool. They probably thought if they tried to guide it to the stairs first the dog might just give out and go under from fatigue. After not being able to lift it out of the pool, then poking it to the stairs became the last resort. Just my take on what I might have done if I was in rescue.
William says
Did the dog spend the whole 45 minutes at that one spot at the edge trying to climb out or did he move sideways at all?
Did the woman try to poke him over to the stairs?
What was the design of the stairs that a dog couldn’t feel them if he was as close to them as he was with his front paws over the pool’s edge in the photo?
What was she doing for 45 minutes if she wasn’t trying to hoist him herself because of her light weight?
Maybe she coulda drained the pool.
Something’s odd about this story.
allie says
William, it’s pretty obvious from the amount of time you spend sitting on this website telling the whole world how they should be doing/thinking/understanding things YOUR way, that you don’t have time to actually DO anything beyond your computer chair. well you know what? the people you have so much free time to critique are usually out there DOING something. unlike you, who are just running your trap. this poor little lady spent the better part of an hour trying to do something. you weren’t even there, but you know all about how she SHOULD have done it? seriously guy, get a life!
sikntired says
Everyone’s a critic,eh?
Owner should lose custody of these poor dogs.So tired of seeing lost dogs on the rescue pages on Facebook.
Everyday lost dogs roaming around this hot desert
Disgusting.
Lynne says
I love that people read and responded but think that a few key points may have been missed. The writer tells us that she tried to rescue the dog but was not successful. Then she went for her phone. After 45 minutes. I’m surprised too, that there isn’t appreciation for her efforts or those of the responders. And how about a call for personal accountability of the owner of the dogs– writer says this is the third time. I’m an animal lover and recognize that pet ownership requires diligent responsibility. I appreciate what the experience put you through, L.
CB says
I agree with Sa & Lae; put the phone down and help. If you can’t help, at least call 911. You already had a phone in your hand…
Letlow has a valid point too. Looking at the pictures, I see no collars or tags on the dogs. Pet owners need to be responsible for their pets.
Sa says
Seriously?? This person took photos instead thinking it might be a last one?? Yeah cause that’s what the owner would’ve liked to see.
Lae says
yeah, i don’t get that either. put your damn phone/camera down and focus on the dog.
Letlow says
I hope the owner sees this story and this picture! Maybe this is exactly what the owner needs to see to contain his/her dogs. The next time it might be a car that strikes the poor dog. The owner needs to be fined!