On Friday, August 26, 2005, at 1:35 PM PDT, two Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters and Los Angeles Fire Department Search and Rescue Squad 88, under the direction of Battalion Chief Raymundo Gomez responded to a Canine Rescue at 7424 North Laurel Canyon Blvd. in North Hollywood.

First arriving units were met by the City's Department of Animal Services and directed to the scene. Firefighters found two structures, separated by a one-foot distance, which was then dissected by a 3-foot block wall with a 4-foot chain-link fence on top.

Further investigation revealed four puppies, estimated to be approximately four weeks old, and said to have been trapped for two days.

In an effort to retain the integrity of both buildings, Firefighters Jamie Heald and Mark Demott expeditiously cut a portion of the chain-link fence and wedged themselves into the cramped aperture.

Once in place, the firefighters attentively lowered a sling-like apparatus, often used by Animal Services for aggressive dogs, and extricated the puppies, one by one, from their confinement.

The puppies, described as a German Shepard Mix, were given water to counter signs of dehydration. Members of Animal Services transported the puppies to a nearby shelter for observation. The puppies are said to be doing well.

Submitted by Melissa Kelley, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department