Lawrence-Cedarhurst firefighers rescue drowning dog

Three Lawrence-Cedarhurst firefighters rescued a dog from Bannister Creek in Lawrence on May 21.

Harborview West resident Harriet Rose saw the dog wander onto a dock in the back of her home. Concerned for the dog’s welfare, Rose called the fire department sometime between 7 and 7:15 p.m., she said.

“The dog was out there for forty minutes treading water and going back and forth toward the Rockaways and the Lawrence Club,” said Rose, a self-described animal lover. “I’ve always had animals,” she added. Her own dog died four months ago.

LCFD firefighters responded to the scene in their raft and located the dog. “Firefighters from the Lawrence-Cedarhurst fire department sprung into action wearing cold water suits and tethered with safety ropes,” said LCFD Chief Joseph Sperber. “The dog was removed from the body of water by firefighters and safely brought to land.”

Capt. Michael Beilinson and firefighters Joseph McHugh and Thomas Cinque rescued the dog that is described as healthy and had a collar and leash attached, but no identification tags. It is currently being housed at the firehouse until the owner claims him, Sperber said.

“They were wonderful,” Rose said about the firefighters. “It was foggy and nasty out and the dog was about ready to drown.”