Hamden Firefighters Rescue Trapped Dog From Ledge At West Rock Ridge State Park

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden firefighters rescued a dog that was trapped on a ledge at West Rock Ridge State Park on Saturday morning. Firefighters were dispatched at about 11 a.m. on Aug. 26 to West Rock Ridge State Park to assist in a multi-agency rescue operation located on the western cliffs overlooking Woodbridge, according to Deputy Chief Gary Merwede.

“Hamden Central Communications received a call for assistance from the Woodbridge Animal Control Officer (ACO) and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection that a dog was trapped on a ledge that was not safely accessible from below,” Merwede wrote in a press release. “The technical rescue box assignment from Hamden was sent to Baldwin Drive to set up a lowering operation, so a firefighter could access the trapped animal from the cliff above and provide assistance.”

Hamden Battalion Chief Richard Otlowski took command of the operation from Baldwin Drive and coordinated the efforts of the Woodbridge Fire Department (operating below the cliffs), the DEEP and Animal Control Officers, according to Merwede.

“Firefighter Scott Blake (HFD) was lowered 60 feet to reach the trapped pit-bull mix,” Merwede said. “It took some time for the firefighter to gain the trust of the dog, who appeared to have minor injuries consistent with exposure and scrambling on unstable rocky ledges. (To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“Blake was able to use animal control equipment lowered to him to take hold of the dog. Utilizing the rope system, both were lowered to members of the WFD, who took the dog and guided it to safety on the trail system leading out of the park.”

Hamden Firefighters used multiple anchors and haul systems to bring the firefighter back up the cliff.

The entire rescue operation took approximately two hours, according to Merwede.

Pictured: Captain Edwin Evers (right) is shown assisting Firefighter Scott Blake as he is hauled back to the top of the cliff.

Photos via the Hamden Fire Department