Posted by April MacIntyre Jan 22, 2010, 22:45 GMT
Taking up a good portion of today on Los Angeles TV was the dramatic rescue of a large dog trapped in the flooded Los Angeles River - all broadcast live.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of the fire department, a dog will have another day:
Hail, sleet, snow, rain and tornadoes have walloped L.A. over the past few days and the concrete basin ravine known as the "River" of Los Angeles has become just that: A raging dangerous waterway.
The dog was spotted in neighboring Vernon, and KTLA News reported that the animal was first reported walking in shallow water near Washington Boulevard at around 11:30 a.m.
At least 50 firefighters responded to the scene, according to the Associated Press.
UPDATE: Fire officials say Joe St. Georges has been hospitlized with severe hand and arm injuries after being bitten by a dog he hoisted from the storm-swollen Los Angeles River in a daring helicopter rescue.
He was taken Friday to County USC Medical Center after rescuing the German shepherd, according to FOX news.
Los Angeles Fire Capt. Steve Ruda says the dog is doing fine and is being checked for rabies.
Firefighters first attempted to rescue the dog, who was so scared of the commotion and the rescue helicopter that he evaded firefighters who tried to approach it, falling further down the river.
Finally, a firefighter dangling beneath a helicopter managed to grab hold of the dog, who responded by biting its rescuer as it panicked.
The dog was transferred to an ambulance for veterinary care and its rescuer was taken to a hospital for treatment of bite wounds, KTLA reported.
2nd Update: The German shepherd pulled from the swollen Los Angeles river Friday, nicknamed Vernon after the Southern California town where he was found, is in good health and will be quarantined for ten days unless an owner comes forward before then, according to FOX news.
If an owner shows up with proof of Vernon's rabies vaccination, the dog could return home. If Vernon is not claimed, officials will try to find the dog a new home with one of the hundreds of families that have already inquired about adopting the dog.
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