A dog’s life was potentially saved over last Friday thanks to quick thinking by a Nelson resident.
The animal was tethered to a boat located on the West Arm of Kootenay lake and a passerby heard it barking in the cold waters.
Sergeant Brian Weber with the Nelson Police Department was one of the members who responded:
“We were lucky enough to have done some training that day and were prepared to head out onto the lake with the Fire Department on a jointly operated rescue law enforcement boat. One of the police officers knew the area so he got down there right away and was able to find the boat.”
He says a passerby heard the dog barking and called the police:
“We had a phone call from a citizen that had heard a dog in distress that was tethered to a sail boat that was anchored in the West arm of Kootenay Lake, about sixty metres from shore.”
Sgt Weber was grateful for the call from the concerned citizen:
“Most times in policing we find out about things after the fact, whereas, asking questions immediately gives us a chance to react at the time. If you’re not sure if you should be phoning the police, just phone the police and find out.”
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services were also involved.
The dog has been returned to the owner, however an investigation involving B-C- S-P-C-A is underway.