UPDATED – Biting the hand that rescues you: Radio traffic & must see video of dog being pulled from Los Angeles River by chopper crew. LAFD has severe arm & hand injuries. Questions about the risk already being asked.
L.A. Times blog asks readers if LAFD firefighters should have risked their lives to save a dog
Read interview with Firefighter Joe St. Georges
Comment received Friday night from LAFD:
Please note: The authenticity and integrity of this amateur scanner recording has not been validated.
Also, it is LAFD protocol to rescue an animal when safe to do so, if for no other reason than to prevent (as our history has shown us) well-meaning untrained persons from attempting to do so in our stead.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
UPDATE – At 5:34 PST LAFD sent out an alert that Firefighter Joe St. Georges has now been released from USC hospital and is being made available for interviews with reporters.
From the AP:
A German shepherd hoisted to safety from the storm-swollen Los Angeles river Friday is fine, authorities said, but the firefighter who splashed down in the daring helicopter rescue was hospitalized after being bitten by the dog.
Los Angeles fire officials said 50-year-old Joe St. Georges, who suffered severe hand and arm injuries, had been taken to County USC Medical Center.
“He has significant injuries, bites and punctures, to his hand and arm and is being seen by a specialist,” Los Angeles fire Capt. Steve Ruda said.
The dog, nicknamed Vernon after the Southern California town where he was found, did not have a name tag or computer chip, said Sgt. Charles Miller of the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority in Downey.
The dog was quarantined to be monitored for rabies, but “appears to be well-maintained and cared for,” Miller said.
At least 50 firefighters responded to reports that the dog was in the river. For an hour, firefighters stood at the top of the steep, concrete banks, throwing life vest and float rings, hoping the dog would grab on. Most of the time, the canine walked along a pipe or ledge in the center of the river, sometimes slipping. One firefighter got into the river and tried to catch, but the dog took off. Soon the pipe was submerged.
When the helicopter hovered overhead, the dog scrambled to the side of the river and tried to climb the slippery sides, only to slip each time.
St. Georges finally splashed down from the helicopter, wrestled with the frightened canine and lifted it to safety, using the dog’s collar and a rope to hoist him up. Despite St. George’s injuries, he didn’t fail the dog.
Miller said the dog had some scrapes and worn nails, but was otherwise fine.
More audio: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. The helicopter rescue is near the end of Part 4.
“He was fearful when he first got here, understandably. He went through a big ordeal,” Miller said.
The dog will be quarantined for 10 days, unless the owner shows up with proof of rabies vaccination, Miller said. Then, the dog could be monitored at home. If the owner doesn’t show up, officials will try to find the dog a new home.
Storms that started Monday have already dropped up to 8 inches of rain in Los Angeles County, the National Weather Service reported.
