Dogs rescued from California Aqueduct
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Friday, March 30, 2007.
By VERONICA ROCHA
Valley Press Staff Writer



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PALMDALE - Two dogs discovered clinging to an object in the California Aqueduct were rescued Wednesday evening by the fire department's swift water and urban search and rescue crews, officials said.
A Rottweiler and a German shepherd had floated down the aqueduct at Barrel Springs Road, south of Pearblossom Highway, and became stuck in a whirlpool at 6:25 p.m., said Inspector Jason Hurd of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

When firefighters found that the dogs were still alive and clinging to metal fencing, he said, the search and rescue crews arrived to rescue the pair.

Fire crews utilized inflatable rafts to reach the lodged dogs, Hurd said.

About 45 minutes later, he said, the dogs were pulled out of the aqueduct's strong current.

They were handed over to animal control, Hurd said.

The dogs' owners are unknown, he said.