- May 2, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
by: Mari Davis
Flagler County Communications Coordinator
Flagler County firefighters have rescued a missing, blind dog that fell down a steep, 20-foot embankment along the Intracoastal Waterway and got stuck in the mud.
The dog, an older Jack Russell terrier named Mattie, had gone missing during a stroll with her owners, who looked for hours for their pet before calling Animal Control.
“The crew from Station 41 was dispatched to assist Animal Control on Saturday afternoon, " Lt. Mike Pius said. “Together, we jumped into action and the rescue effort was underway.”
Flagler County Animal Control Officer Dawn Morton and helper Ronnie Williams were the first to arrive on the scene. Using binoculars, they found Mattie on the other side of the bank. The dog had wandered into a wooded area and fallen down the embarkment along the water.
Fire Rescue Lt. Mike Pius, Firefighter Paramedic John Raffo, Firefighter Paramedic Marianne Houston and Firefighter EMT Noah Dunaway, a graduate from the Flagler Palm Coast High School Fire Leadership Flagship Program, showed up to help.
Houston climbed down the embankment and assessed the stranded dog at the water’s edge. A neighbor provided a canoe.
“Firefighter Houston and the dog were picked up in the canoe by the rescue crew, who then paddled 50 yards back to a floating dock into safety,” Pius said. “The dog was delivered onto the dock and walked unassisted to the Animal Control officer.”
Though no one knows how long the dog was stuck in the mud, she remained calm during the entire rescue operation.
Mattie was reunited with her owners unharmed.
