A six-year-old Shih Tzu got a bit of a scare on Friday when her owner’s vehicle slid down an embankment, but luckily the Castlegar Fire Department was able to rescue her.
The department received a call at about 11:10 a.m. alerting them that a vehicle had gone an estimated 70-90 feet over the bank, approximately seven to eight kilometers east of Castlegar on Highway 3, and it was unknown if someone was trapped inside.
“When we arrived on scene, we were made aware, because the ambulance was already on scene, that the occupant actually managed to get out, and walk herself up the bank,” recounted deputy fire chief Sam Lattanzio. “But when we arrived on the scene we were told that there was still a pet in the vehicle.”
Firefighters deployed ropes and a rescue basket to retrieve the dog, Dot, from the vehicle.
“She was scared, but very happy to be reunited with her owner, once we brought the dog back up the bank, which made us feel good too,” said Lattanzio.
Castlegar firefighters received help from the Ootischenia Fire Department, who assisted with traffic control.
“We thank them very much for doing that,” said Lattanzio.