A firefighter lowered from a helicopter rescued a dog that was spotted floating down the rain-swollen Los Angeles River near Griffith Park on Friday.
The approximately 30-pound dog, which appeared to be a yellow Labrador mix, was spotted about 3:45 p.m. near the Barham Boulevard overpass, according to Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
It was later reported to be in the area of Memorial Drive and Forest Lawn Drive in the Griffith Park area, he said.
Firefighters searched from the ground and air, and the dog — swimming with its head barely above the water — was spotted by a helicopter crew, Scott said, adding that the river, about 5 feet deep in that area, was flowing at around 20 mph.
The dog was out of reach of the riverbank, so a firefighter was lowered from the helicopter and he managed to pluck the shivering pooch from the water, he said.
Both the firefighter and dog were spinning rapidly in circles as they dangled from the helicopter, so they were lowered back into the water to arrest the spin before being raised again and deposited safely on dry land, Scott said, adding that 16 firefighters were involved in the rescue.
The dog had a collar but was not microchipped, according to a report from the scene. It was taken to a shelter for further assessment and treatment of a possible leg injury, Scott said.
Authorities were trying to locate its owner.
