Branford Fire Department's Rescue Swimmer Saves Dog From Icy LI Sound

BRANFORD, CT — Tuesday afternoon around 4 p.m., as Branford animal control officers were on the lookout for a dog running near the Pine Orchard and Limewood Road area, the Branford Fire Department received a 911 call about a dog in the water near East Haycock Point Road.

Animal control officers learned the dog was in the water and, like the first responders, made their way to the location.

According to Branford fire Incident Commander Tim Judd, when responders arrived, they found the dog swimming toward rocks due to low tide and "took refuge on a group of rocks." Per Judd, a private drone was used to locate it the dog, who "appeared scared, shivering, and injured," as reported by the owners of the dog who had also run to the scene.

To save the dog, Judd said, two rescue swimmers were deployed —one from Engine 11 and another from Rescue 2.

Judd described the rescue:

"As Marine 5 approached the rocks, the frightened, swam away. Marine 5 got as close as possible, and one swimmer entered the water to capture the dog. After some time, the swimmer managed to control the dog and swim back to the boat. The dog, along with the swimmer, was brought aboard Marine 5 and transported to shore."

The crew involved in the rescue were Captain Connor Ball (Marine 5), Lieutenant Steven Consolo (Marine 5), Lieutenant Anderson (Marine 5), rescue swimmers Mako (Engine 1) and Megan Hayes (Rescue 2), Car 6, Angel One, and Engine 9, with additional support from Branford Police, Branford Communications, and Branford Animal Control, Judd said.

"I have to say they did a really good job," Judd reported, noting he repeated his praise to all involved. He said that one of the owners "could not say thank you enough" for saving the dog.

The grateful dog owners brought it to receive emergency veterinary care, Judd noted.

Fire Chief Thomas Mahoney told Patch he was "proud" of Branford's bravest.

"We are here to assist the community for whatever needs they have," he said, "We're the department to call when you don't know who to call."

The Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter praised the "heroes" in a Facebook post.

"These brave guys and girls put their lives on the line every day to help save all sorts of lives, including our treasured canine family members. We thank them tremendously for their caring nature, the fact that they never give up when it comes to these animal calls and that we always know we can count on them — no matter what."