Officers Joseph Toney and Steven Rector got the call Friday afternoon.
"Someone was fishing on the side of the river there and saw a dog floating in the river, and called us to come check it out,” Officer Toney said.
Sure enough, that’s exactly what the two found when they responded to the call – a white and grey pit bull stranded on a pile of brush, floating down the river.
"And I told Joe, I said we need to do something, because it was raining and the river was rushing, and it was only maybe a foot or two on top of the water, you know it wouldn't take much rain to actually wash the dog away,” Rector said.
It was a career first for both officers, so they had to get a little creative with what to do.
“So I told Joe, I was like 'I got a canoe, I'm going to run to the house and grab it and we'll see what we can do to get this dog,’” Rector said.
They took the canoe and paddled out to the dog, but it took a little convincing to get her to climb on board.
"She was real nervous, she was afraid, I mean with the interstate, the cars passing over the bridge it was loud, the rain, and just the current in itself, you know?"
After a little biting and growling, the officers successfully got her in the canoe. And just in the nick of time.
"It was pretty exciting, and it was a rush because I checked the weather -- 5 o’clock was calling for a downpour -- so I was like we've got to get this done before 5,” Rector said. "With the current the way it was on the south Fork river, she wouldn't have stood a chance out on the water herself."
The dog was uninjured and has been placed into the Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement Shelter.
Officials are still trying to find the dog’s owner. Anyone who recognizes the dog is encouraged to call Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement at (704) 866-3320.
(WLTX - May 22, 2016)
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