Rescuers Retrieve Man and Dog from White River

Rescuers pulled a man and his dog from the White River Sunday afternoon, according to a press release issued by King County Fire District No. 44.

KCFD No. 44 and the King County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit were alerted to the incident at about 5 p.m. on the river between Auburn and Enumclaw. The man and his dog, Dozer, were stuck on the opposite side of the river but were not in immediate danger and were not injured.

The rescuers launched a boat across the river to pick the man and his dog up then brought them back over safely.

Earlier in the day, two men and Dozer were on the river bank when the dog saw a splash in the water and jumped in to pursue it. The river current quickly took Dozer downstream but his owner located him on a sandbar. The two men created a makeshift raft out of driftwood and shoestrings to try and get to Dozer. His owner floated across the river to the sandbar on the raft but about four hours after, he called 9-1-1 for help.

Rescuers suggest that citizens who will be spending time near a river should have life jackets nearby, and dogs should be kept on leashes so they don't get into trouble.