6 March 2010

Koko the Husky Saved from Viaduct

Koko trapped on bridge.

Port Hope Ontario - Koko the husky was happy to have his paws firmly on solid ground yesterday after being trapped high above ground on a railway viaduct in Port Hope for at least two days.
 
"We've had calls for cats up in a tree, but this situation was different,"Port Hope Deputy Fire Chief Jim Wheeler said.
 

Koko trapped on bridge.
 
 
A passerby heard the dog's howls but at first couldn't pinpoint where they were coming from. After looking around for the dog, the person noticed Koko perched on a ledge approximately 50 feet off the ground.
 

Koko trapped on bridge.
 
 
Animal Control was first contacted, and they notified emergency services.
 
Port Hope Police and members of the Port Hope Fire Department arrived to determine how to rescue the animal.
 

Koko is led away after rescue by firefighters.
 
 
After deeming the field in the area unsafe to set up a ladder truck, firefighters contacted CP Rail to shut down railway traffic while they rescued the animal.
 
Using harnesses and carrying ladders, four firefighters walked the tracks to the area where the dog had fallen through.
 
After securing a ladder, Port Hope firefighter Kevin Bernard was lowered onto the platform and raised Koko through the hole she had fallen through.
 
Firefighters walked the animal back along the tracks and handed him over to owner Tobi Moeller of Port Hope.
 
"It was a unique rescue," Wheeler said. "It either had to jump, probably to its death, or stay in that location until somebody came and got it."
 
Koko had been lost for over two weeks and Moeller thought he would never see his dog again.
 
"I'm very grateful to (the rescuers). Everything worked well."
 
Pete Fisher.