Los Angeles: In a dramatic airborne rescue, firefighters used a helicopter to save a small brown dog from drowning in a rain-swollen river here.
The dog was spotted floating down Los Angeles River in Burbank following thunderstorms on January 30.
To carry out the rescue, a firefighter was lowered from a helicopter into the river near the Cahuenga Pass. He then swam towards the Corgi/Chihuahua mix, and caught it in his arms, before lifting it to safety.
The seven-year-old dog did not have a tag or microchip but authorities believe the canine has an owner, as it had a collar and leash.
"Any life is precious and I know there is an owner out there that is absolutely totally distraught their dog is missing," John Terrusa, who rescued the dog, was quoted as saying by the 'abc7.Com'.
The dog was taken to North Central Animal Shelter in Lincoln Heights where it is recovering.
