A dog was seen on Coulburn Mill Pond where he had broken through the ice. A bystander saw the dog and immediately called 911. Dispatch gave him the run around and transferred him to someone else who never answerd the call.
In the mean time another person showed up to help. They then called the Fruitland Fire Department directly and once again they got the run around again. One of the two men chose to throw on a wet suit and crawl on his belly across the ice to get the dog. By this time animal control showed up and after 45 minutes the Fruitland Fire Department finally showed up, only after they received a call that a HUMAN was seen on the ice.
Unfortunately we do not have their names. The young man that braved the ice and cold in the wet suit was around 18 years old. God Bless these fine men for saving this animal form a certain death. Merry Christmas to you.
UPDATE: The woman who actually fell through the ice was none other than Linda Lugo from the Humane Society. The dogs name is Max and the owner was located. The dog was dying when this young man strapped on a rope, a wet suit and slid belly first across the ice. When he finally reached the dog he had turned over onto his back, just about to go under for the final time without return. The young man was able to get a hold of the dog and pull it up and save it.
Max was taken to Johnson/MaKee Veterinary Hospital where they couldn't even get a temperature reading on the dog when it had arrived. At the moment he has been wrapped in warm heated blankets and it looks as if he will survive.
Linda, you always touch my heart with the stories you have shared but I have never been more proud of you than today.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
73 comments:
With all due respect, I do not pay taxes for 911 services for animals, nor do I necessarily want our emergency responders to risk their lives for animals.
Glad it ended well, but I can't fault the agencies that didn't respond.
Don't get me wrong - It's nice that the dog was saved, but I'm glad to hear that the fire depts. did not respond.
A dogs life is not equivalent to a human's life and shouldn't be treated as such.
Also, if it were my child, I'd tell him NOT to risk his own life by crawling out on the ice after an animal.
If it was my dog I would want a rescuer to respond.
By the way my dog is more loved than Jonathan Tailor, Jim Liarton, Barrie Tilmon and Louweasel Smiff
you all are morons. to some people thier pet is thier child. or think of it as if it were your childs pet they have grown up with. I think they should have respoded with help. Someone loves that dog like you love your family. I would have tried to save that animal my self, although you may have just walked away and slept well if that animal died, i on the other hand, have a heart and i couldnt sleep knowing i did nothing to help. way to be caring people.
It sounds like there is a real hero in town. Now all the want-a-bes are crying.
With all due respect, some people do love their animals like they would love a child. BUT as a first responders wife... I couldn't imagine finding out he died or was seriously injured in the line of duty while rescuing your dog,leaving behind our two children!
On another note... If the owner loved their dog like their child, why is it not on a leash to avoid this type of issue?
Thank god for surfers, haha yea you heard me
anonymous 2:04, shame on you. I thought Firefighters were HERO's and unconditional? The real men Firefighters I know wouldn't think twice jumping into that Pond or a burning building to rescue an animal.
They don't Pay me Enough for that Joe. You should know that.
UNFREAKING BELEIVABLE my animals are my children since i cant have children KUDOS AND THANK YOU to the person who risked everything to save this dog and some familys christmas, how awful that would have been!!!!!!! Again thanks for being a TRUE HERO!!!!!!!! And by the way i wont sign my name anonymous!!!!!!!!
My mother was a firefighter and a EMT and I Know she would have gone out there to help that dog. Any decent person would. dont look at it like you are risking your life think of it as you are helping a nother life. Through out time dogs have risked thier lives for us with out thought.
To everyone that feels it is EMS's responsibility to save a dog because you love it and treat it like a child. Would you respond with the same conviction if the animal was a chicken or skunk? I doubt it but people have those for pets too. If you would like to risk your life to save a dog, be my guest. I will not be doing the same and EMS should not be expect to either,
There is no need to even address the shear heartlessness of some of you....HOWEVER...This young man is a TRUE HERO.....To perform such as rescue without hesitation and a "How much am I getting paid" attitude is the true meaning of selflessness. I am sure the owners of the dog are very grateful! I know I would be if it had been mine! God Bless everyone who stopped, called and helped!
My dogs life is worth far more than anyones who would post that an animal is not woth saving.
anonymous 2:39, THIS is exactly where I hate my own no curse policy. Just know I'd be throwing every Bronx name in the book at you.
Simply put, you're an Idiot and YOU are the reason I sometimes resent alleged Firefighter Hero crap.
My Wife and I have rescued a multitude of animals ranging from deer, otters, eagles cats, dogs, horses, geese and ducks.
We have NEVER laid conditions as to what we would or wouldn't rescue. Get out of the rescue business Idiot, we don't need your kind. Oh, you better believe my name is on my comment too. I'd have no problem facing an Idiot like yourself one day. At least you'll know who I am anyway.
So Joe, you and other tax payers willing to pay his healthcare or his pension if he were to be sick or injured while rescuing a dog? They are sworn to protect and serve the citizens of the areas they work in, not the animals!
I have rescued many animals as well Joe and thanks for speaking up to all those idiots only worried about what they get out of something. That is exactly what is wrong with this world today!
Thank God for the 18-year-old and the other young man for risking his life today to rescue another life. It doesn't matter if it is a dog, cat, skunk, snake, whatever, to knowingly sit back and watch an animal die speaks volumes of the character of an individual. These people are the heroes today. I hope that we learn the names of these young men so we all can say thank you. Thank you Linda Lugo for your assistance today too. It's nice knowing that there are still heroes and good people among us. Thanks, Beth
anonymous 3:03, Hey Idiot, WE ALREADY DO!
I know, instead, let's build a $14,000,000.00 Fire House worth $2,000,000.00.
Better yet, lets spend millions on a new fleet of Fire Trucks and while we're at it, let's get really delusional and paint all of our old ones the same new color.
Wait a minute, let's also go out and spend $900,000.00 on a stupid Fire Boat to cover less than a mile strip of water in the City.
Better yet, let's spend $84,000,000.00 on a Waste Water Treatment Plant that DOESN'T WORK and then another $60,000,000.00 to MAYBE get it working better than the old plant.
I think the workers comp would be the LEAST we could do for you on top of all the other CRAP you put this City through.
3:03 SHUT UP! It's better to keep your mouth closed and be considered a fool then to open your mouth and prove it.
I dont believe that if you had been here and saw Max crying, and looking at you, that you wouldnt want to save him. That young man is truly a hero. You can only hope that if your child is out there that he is around! Fruitland ems responded even though they were not supposed too. 911 didnt know what to do so it really held things up. We didnt need ems to dive in! We needed ropes or anything else to help get him out.
I'm glad the dog was saved I think most people dog lovers or not would have tried to do the same. However I find it disturbing that some of the posters have more regard for a pets life then a fellow human being.
1:26, 1:37 and all those who feel the same, get over yourselves, how shall we respond when you need help? Merry Christmas!
Anonymous said...
To everyone that feels it is EMS's responsibility to save a dog because you love it and treat it like a child. Would you respond with the same conviction if the animal was a chicken or skunk? I doubt it but people have those for pets too. If you would like to risk your life to save a dog, be my guest. I will not be doing the same and EMS should not be expect to either,
2:39 PM
HaHaHa! What a retard. A dog is no comparison to a chicken or a skunk! You are just a stupid idiot and so is your comment.
Joseph Albero said...
anonymous 3:03, Hey Idiot, WE ALREADY DO!
Wait a minute, let's also go out and spend $900,000.00 on a stupid Fire Boat to cover less than a mile strip of water in the City.
3:09 PM
Joe, it is far less than a mile. As a matter of fact the city has ownership in none of the river. All emergencies on the river are the responsibility of the Maryland Natural Resources Police and the Coast Guard. What little bit of area that may need a fire boat can be reached by land.
The mayor of Salisbury is a JOKE and so is that new Fire Chief he hired.
It is not the responsibility of the 911 center to DISPATCH AN EMERGENCY CALL for an animal. They should have contacted an officer and let them decide what to do. Firefighters are not trained to risk their lives to rescue animals but if it can be done safely, then it is done. If the fire dept. did respond and use resources for this then the dog's owner should have paid the the fire dept. back and been given a fine for not having their dog on a leash. Remember dog owners, it is unconditional love of your pet and no money is too much for your dog. Right?!?!?!?!?!
Linda Lugo does more for animals than some parents do for their their children. Give these people a break.To the man that roped in for safety issues and saved the dog my hat is off to to you. And for those of you that have no compassion for people who do good deeds, may the bird of paradise fly up your butt. John in Delmar
People. This is not a big city where firefighters are always busy with emergencies. Have any of you been to any of the fire depts? seriously there is not a whole lot going on. I think they can answer a call about an animal in danger of losing its life. Granted if they had to choose between a baby in a burning building or a drowning dog, they would choose the human life. But honestly what is the harm in breaking up a firefighters game of cornhole to help rescue an animal? Most of these guys are like 300 lbs. it would do them some good to get out and do something for others. They always want to be categorized as heroes, they need to act like it.
Joe, I never asked for the new fire station or trucks or any of that other stuff. All I am saying is it is not the responsibility of 911 to answer these types of calls. If my dog was hit by a car would I have called 911.. same thing, dog is suffering. I am sorry the dog was suffering and I am glad he is fine, but I still don't agree that someone is obligated to jump in after him. I thought people could have an opinion on her? I didn't call anyone an idiot, just voicing my opinion.
I am so over hearing this basic attitude of the dog wasnt on a leash so he didnt deserve to be rescued, or that the owners need to be fined or punished for the dog not being on a leash. The circumstances of this situation were never told in this story. My yard is fenced in, my dogs are kept inside unless they are in the fence, and they are put on leashes if we are going in the car or for a walk. HOWEVER, there are times when my 3 yr old accidently lets the dog out the front door or when he accidently escapes while we are coming in. Anytime, this happens I am in shear panic trying to get my dog back in the house. I do everything possible to get him back in. I find it absolutely absurd that some of you people think it would be ok if my dog was in a dangerous situation, which may threaten his life, because he accidently got out without a leash. On another note, those of you claiming the fire dept and other emergency response agencies should ignore calls about animals. I guess you would rather them spend their time joy-riding around salisbury in the trucks or hanging out at local restaurants. I mean you wouldn't want them to waste their time rescuing people's family pets, instead wasting gas, tax dollars and stuffing their faces with donuts and icecream. Yeah you people have a heart and a brain...NOT! Oh and for one last point, most of you people complaining about your hard earned dollars wasted on saving an animal, you are proably one of of the millions sitting on their a$$ collecting unemployment and living on the government anyway!
Well, foo on some of you.
I'm just going to say God Bless the wonderful people who saved the dog. God Bless you. If Max has a chance, he went to a good vet. I know many people's dogs got saved at Johnson-McKee.
"you are proably one of of the millions sitting on their a$$ collecting unemployment and living on the government anyway"
TALK ABOUT IGNORANCE KIM!!! Is this what you are doing when your 3 year old is opening a door to let your dog out?
In all honesty Joe, you we as americans are not even contributing to the firefighters of 911 to get the healthcare they need for being unconditional heros, so really how do you figure you would be if a firefighter were to go down saving a dog?
It sounds like a lot of the posters on here are quick to generalize about the "lazy," "bored," "300 lb." emergency workers in order to justify their stance that animals should be rescued by the same emergency personnel. It's laughable.
Thank god for surfers!
Just for the record... This was fruitland fire departments district...so y the SFD bashing in this post?
all god's creatures deserve to be saved. god bless linda and the young man.
Oh how I wish I could cuss and still post - this is my 4th attempt.
First of all for all you HERO f/f's, don't forget the mission - PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. Very basic and to the point.
Second point is that F/F's don't swap lives no matter who or what is involved in the rescue. Is there risk involved in what they do? Yes, definitely, it's an accepted part of the job. That's why they train and are prepared for such as this and the risk is minimal. Any F/F worth his/her's salt can easily, AND SAFELY, rescue a dog that has broken through the ice using the proper tools, equipment, and procedures. AND SHOULD HAVE! Or would you rather wait and end up recovering the body of some untrained citizen that attempted do the job you're paid to do? The whole bunch of you should be ashamed.
Joe I think you should call the NEW CHIEF out on this and see what his opinion is. While he's trying to explain the lack of service provided ask him to please explain the difference in the technique that would be used in rescuing a dog and in the one used for rescuing a child. HE CAN'T!
I think an investigation should be conducted to find out who made this decision - starting with the clown show at the 911 Center. Track this call and you'll find just how incompetent our public servents are.
Volunteer said...
It is not the responsibility of the 911 center to DISPATCH AN EMERGENCY CALL for an animal. They should have contacted an officer and let them decide what to do. Firefighters are not trained to risk their lives to rescue animals but if it can be done safely, then it is done. If the fire dept. did respond and use resources for this then the dog's owner should have paid the the fire dept. back and been given a fine for not having their dog on a leash. Remember dog owners, it is unconditional love of your pet and no money is too much for your dog. Right?!?!?!?!?!
3:48 PM
To the illiterate moron who puts his name as "volunteer."
You are right firefighters are not trained to rescue dogs, but some have minimal training in rescue.
Firefighters are not trained to respond to "flooded basements," but they do.
Firefighters are not trained to respond to "wires down," but they do.
Firefighters are not trained to respond to "cars keys locked in them," but they do.
MOST firefighters aren't trained to respond to the numerous medical assist calls with a fire truck, but they do.
My guess is that you have minimal training in the fire service, period. By the looks of your poor grammar it would have been in your best interest to stay in school and get a proper education.
Get over yourself!
anon 5:32 PM don't comment if you don't know what you're talking about. YOU"RE CLUELESS - nice try though.
Fruitland is a VOLUNTEER dept... therefore NO taxpayer money would have been spent on at least going to the scene and checking things out. Instead of sending animal control, which does cost taxpayer money for those of you gripping about cost. Local fire depts rush to every fender-bender in the county. Could have sent even just one person to check the situation out(whoever was sitting around eating donuts at the time would do). If it was too much of a risk to their lives, no one would have faulted them for not jumping in the icy water... what's said is that they didn't even consider it worth their time to go and see.
I thought the weight reference was to Enormous Green One, not firefighters.
Ice Rescues are no big deal for properly trained/equipped personnel, following the proper precautions and procedures. Every Fire Dept in this county has trained on this and are proficent in performing them. If this isn't so then I'll just end by saying they missed an excellent opportunity for some training here. I'd perfer learning my weak points while rescuing an animal than rescuing a child. That's just me.
Support the person already who said an investigation of wicomico central is due on this one. It is not their 'call' on to or not to effect a rescue. Fire should have been dispatched. Units onscene can make the call on how to proceed.
Also, as already indicated, having fire onscene dissuades a random person with no training or equipment from attempting a rescue.
Now, as a general PSA.. STAY OFF THE ICE. No ice this far south is safe to be on. Stay off, keep your children off. Traditionally, we have a person killed every other year here when a person goes through the ice
STAY OFF THE ICE.
Anyone who has watched reality tv knows that firefighters throughout the country DO respond and have saved many dogs in exactly this situation. I have watched them do it. Its a no-brainer. I love my two dogs and would definitely have jumped in if there was no other way to save the dog. What kind of person could see this unfold, see and hear the struggling dog, and do nothing? thanks to Linda and the mystery surfer dude...hope he will surface.
I can say after 1/2 century of life there are a large number of animals that deserve rescuing especially when compared to some of the people I see on the street of Salisbury everyday!
4:40 well said!
I just can't believe that some people could be so heartless.....
Ok, so after watching WBOC, I think I have a better understanding...
1. Someone calls '911'.
2. Central transfers call to Humane society.
3. LL arrives, and attempts a rescue (completely untrained to do so).
4. LL goes through ice.
5. Random '18' year old puts on wet-suit, get tethered to a rope, and rescues both LL & dog.
6. While this is ongoing, 911 is contacted again, and this time fire is dispatched (as should have been in step 1).
7. fire & ems arrive onscene after bystanders have already completed rescue. Mysterious hero wanders off.
Lots of questions here.
Another twist on this! My wife and I were discussing this while eating dinner. Our 4 year old was at the table and our dog was doing his usual begging. My daughter asked, "Daddy, how did anybody know that the dog wasn't trying to save one of us like Brownie did when I got lost?" I told her I'd have to get back with her on that but it was a good question. Then she dropped the bomb! As she was feeding her most precious friend in the world a french fry I heard her tell him that if he fell through the ice she would save him. Now that'll make you think! ASK THE FIRE CHIEF, how did they know, and ask him how I should answer her first question because I promised her I'd get back to her with one. I answered the 2nd question already by telling her to go for help and do not go on the ice. Then she dropped bomb #2, "Do you mean call 911?" Maybe the 911 Chief can answer that for me. Do you not call 911 except for certain emergencies and just exactly are they?
I will speak on my behalf. I am a Firefighter and i do it for free and i have no problem going in after a dog or an animal or a adult or kid and you mite say yy. Well my job is to serve everybody and thing ok i didnt sign up here to say oh no heck with that. A dog is a mans best friend. Animals are like kids and you guys should really grow up. The fire dept did respond and station 3 fruitland and station 16 salisbury was alerted. They were comming to do the job. Why would you wanna save something if you had a way to do so come on. How could u live with it if you didmt and you knew you could and they died. I love my job here in the fire service and well we run alot of calls lets say 500 a year helping people like you ..
And, this is the community I live in with some of these heartless people? I can not believe some of the comments on this. So sad.
Alright, I have heard enough Fire Department bashing on this issue. First off, let me just say that I am a fireman (which I feel automatically that will get me stereotyped into what some on here call "300lbs, rednecks, or farmin", which most of us are not) and everyone of my colleages and I would do all that we could to rescue this dog. It's just what we do, we help when someone is in need. However, personal safety is first and foremost.
Now I happened to be listening to this on my scanner when it happened. It did not take the Fruitland Fire Department 45 minutes to respond. In fact, they were dispatched for a water rescue around 12:20pm, and were on scene around 12:25( I was on my lunch break so I was watching the clock, lol!). There was also an officer from Fruitland Fire Department there at the time of the dispatch. It just so happened that the animal was rescued before the units were on scene. So to say that they (the FFD) took 45 minutes to respond is completely absurd. I am sure that someone from Wicomico central could verify thier times because I believe they are recorded.
A very important concern should be pointed out here:
While everyone understands that it is darn near impossible to just stand there and do nothing, and even I would have great difficulty in doing this, The FFD were there in approximately five Minutes from the dispatch. They have the equipment to do so, and even though this had a happy ending, it also could have been very tragic. I know this is lengthy, but if you do see an animal stuck in or on the ice, please notify the proper agency ASAP. Because if there is an animal there, a person will soon follow, and EVERYONE deserves to go home.
I was referred to this site to find the person that risked his life for my dog max and was shocked at what some people were saying. I am the owner of max and he is the most wonderful loving dog you would ever meet. My kids and family love him like he was their child. I just don't believe that some of you wouldn't have jumped in that lake and saved their dog and risked their life. I was on my way home from work to just do that. I am happy to report to the concerned that Max is doing fine and the vet (Johnson McGee) was great. He came home today. I thank all the people that risked their life for him and i am so grateful to GOD for letting him live another day. For those who thought this was not necessary.... THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DONE IF IT WERE YOUR BEST FRIEND???????????
Sharon I am so very pleased that Max is home and doing well. Merry Christmas to you and your family and most of all Max!
anon 1:26 you must be a numb cold heart person!i have two animals and theyre a part of my family.my german shepherd is a protector of my children and loves them unconditionally.today he played with them and pulled them around in the snow on a sled!that dog is more loyal and more trust worthy than most friends and family i have.if someone threatens my family he would die to protect us.so when it comes to my dog i would pay any price to save him.you must not like animals or have any.however we could save money by regulating people on welfare in this area who dont need or deserve it!
Thanks to everyone that left caring comments on here. And for the man that saved his life.... THANK YOU SO MUCH, you saved mine as well. Thanks to all the people that responded and helped... I love you all for all you did. God bless you all and have a Merry Christmas. I know I will that I have Max home!
anonymous 9:30, you are wrong. I spoke directly with the man who not only found the dog on the ice, he was the one who called 911. Now, that being said, he flat out told me it took them at least 45 minutes to arrive, but didn't blame the Fruitland Fire Department. He also stated that it was the EMS Unit that responded. I confirmed this with linda Lugo.
6:02, Fruitland Fire Department receives money from the City of Fruitland, therefore, taxpayer dollars are used. (just to clarify)
9:06
You have a great holiday and thank you.
9:29
I agree.That's why the world is going to hell in a hand-basket.
So those of you who are complaining about this, I guess you could sit, watch a dog drown, do nothing, and think "huh, that's just too bad". Wow. Hope someone doesn't ever do that to you when you need help. People that save animals like this have a love for all living things and a great heart. Thank God for people like them in this world.
6:02, also, who would be sitting around "eating doughnuts" at a volunteer department? Most of them are WORKING at their regular jobs. Are we stereotyping? And you wonder why public servants are getting FED UP.
Joe, He may have called at a certain time, but when FFD is toned out is another matter. FFD was toned out as 9:30 says. Why then, I dont know. But they were there in 5 minutes. If there is a beef, it is with 911, NOT, FFD. How can you say 9:30 is wrong? Based on what someone told you? Check Facts. 911 records all those things. 9:03 is factual in his/her statement.
I am a firefighter, I would gladly do this, as many I know would. However, I don't think its responsible to respond emergency apparatus and risk human life in the response for an animal. It wouldn't be responsible to transport an animal in ambulance lights siren and speeding because if you cause an accident and kill a human being was it worth the risk to save the animal?
Once again--I am a firefighter and animal lover that would gladly crawl out on that ice for a dog. But you can't put other innocent human lives in jeopardy for an animal, no animal is more important than a human being.
Now, if the fire co wanted to respond apparatus non-emergency with willing volunteers to do this, please do as they are probably better equipped. But emergency response? No.
it does not surprise me that the fire dept thinks it was just a dog. maybe the dog is a come here and not a born here! me i would save the dog before some people i have met here.
6:06
No one is making you stay here!
I also live in that area and want to report that on eof the guys whostopped to help was Bobby, from Treetech. I only know this b/c he and his crew had done some tree work for us. He happened to have some long ropes in his truck that were being used to throw out...It was nice to see so many people caring about this dog. Glad Max is okay!
Actually Anon 4:49, notice your anonymous...no I don't collect unemployment while my 3 yr. old lets my dog out on accident. I have a college degree, I am a licensed registered nurse and I provide child care for a 3 month old child. IN ADDITION, my husband works 2 jobs, 3 in the summer to support our family. We own our house, we own 2 cars, and we are able to pay our own bills each month with the money we make. So don't throw the ignorance card back at me, because I am not one of the many that collect unemployment, food stamps, medical assistance or any other goverment funded help. I am home with my son, so that I do not have to pay someone else to raise him for me. So, back on down off your high horse and know your facts about me before you make assumptions about my lifestyle. This post isn't about me or my lifestyle anyway, its about the ignorance of people questioning why a dog should be saved and why tax dollars should be spent on saving them. People are ignorant and if they feel that way they should keep their mouths shut, I hope they never need the help of another human one day, because karma might just come back in bite them in the a$$!
Kim you are awesome and I like the way you think.... like a human being should. All life is life and they all should be saved... I agree I would have saved an animal before half of the people I have met in Salisbury! Kudos to you!
Sharon im so very pleased MAX is doing well, i hope your family has a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
My brother was the one who did the saving. He was the "boy" in the wet suite and he's 21 not 18. I'm so very proud of him and glad the dog is well!
His name is Barrett Smith from Salisbury. He attends SU. I have a photo of the resuce from his friend who was on shore during the crawl across the ice.
Wow, you people are so cold! "I'm glad the fire dept didn't respond," "If that were my child I would have told him not to risk his life..." I know Barret Smith personally and he's a great guy and I'm very glad that there are still people out there who are willing to risk their lives (even though he wasn't really risking his life with others there and these things call HOSPITALS) for the greater good. BRAVO BARRETT!
Save a dog without risking your life or putting on a wetsuit!
Go to the Humane Society today. They have dogs sitting there waiting to be killed because no one wants them.
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