Long Beach First Responders Rescue Drowning Dogs

LONG BEACH, NY — The heroic efforts of a Long Beach police officer and fire fighter saved the lives of two dogs who were in danger of drowning in Reynolds Channel early this morning.

According to the Long Beach Fire Department, a call came in to both the fire and police departments at 8:03 a.m. for two dogs drowning in Reynolds Channel off Ohio Avenue.

Police Officer Steve Wildes was the first one on the scene, and he found two small dogs struggling to stay above water near a homeowner's dock. With the help of a civilian, Wildes climbed down an extension ladder and was able to rescue one dog. The other was swept underneath the dock.

Assistant Fire Department Chief Jake Jacobi arrived on the scene and started to work to rescue the second dog. Wildes and a civilian held an eight-foot ladder, which Jacobi climbed down. He locked his legs around the bottom rung and swung out to try to grab the dog. He was just barely able to grab the scruff of the dog's neck and bring it back up to safety.

The fire department said the dogs were believed to be in the water for nearly a half hour. They were both rushed to a nearby animal hospital with extreme hypothermia. They are both expected to make full recoveries.