Woman, Bystander and Frightened Dog Rescued from L.A. River After Multiple Attempts by Firefighters

Frightened dog was finally rescued after multiple attempts by firefighters. Keith Johnson / KNN

Sepulveda Basin, Los Angeles, CA: A woman, a bystander and a dog were rescued from the rushing L.A. River on Monday in Los Angeles during a rainstorm with flash flood warnings in effect.

The dog fled in fear in the rushing river waters as a firefighter worked to rescue the animal. *Keith Johnson* / KNN

Around 2:13 p.m., Mar. 28, at 650 La River, in the Sepulveda Basin, firefighters made visual contact of one female patient with a dog in the river. The water was moving at an estimated 5 -10 mph, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

According to LAFD, firefighters deployed to multiple predesignated rescue points along the river to conduct rescue operations. The patient worked to fight the current and hold location. A rope system was used to lower one firefighter over the edge and they were able to get a rescue ring to the patient. She abandoned the life ring in efforts to keep hold of her dog.

LAFD Air Ops lowered a rescuer from the helicopter and secured the patient and tracked the dog downriver approximately another 200 feet. Once the dog was located, a rescuer was lowered and they captured the dog.

Unfortunately, the scared animal fought the rescuer and broke loose, LAFD reported. Air Ops continued to the next location downriver to again effect a rescue.

LAFD Air Ops tracked the dog and made multiple rescue attempts. The dog was able to run downstream away from the rescuer and continued to fight. Ground resources redeployed down river as the helicopter tracked the dog for a more effective rescue opportunity, according to LAFD.

Unfortunately, during this time a bystander entered the water. He was able to grab the dog and they then were swept downstream. He was able to grab hold of a rope sent over the side from other bystanders, LAFD reported.

LAFD resources worked to conduct another rescue of both the person and dog. LAFD continued rescue efforts for the dog from both the ground and the air.

LAFD continued to warn bystanders to stay away from the river to attempt rescue of the dog. LAFD said bystanders doing so put themselves at risk and create yet another human rescue.

The dog was safely secured by firefighters and was brought up to the surface. The bystander who went into the water earlier and required rescue was transported to the hospital with dog bite wounds. The female patient, first rescue, did not require transport, according to LAFD.