Terrified Pup Ends Up Stuck In California Canal, Drone Captures His Heartbreaking Struggle
A passerby was walking along a canal in California when something caught their eye near the water.
At first, it seemed like a dark ripple… then a splash… and finally, a small shape struggling desperately to stay afloat. Realizing an animal was in danger, panic set in, but so did action.
They immediately called the Redwood City Fire Department, and soon a team of rescuers was on their way, ready to save whatever, or whoever, was trapped there.
Fire captain Chris Clow arrived with a drone in hand, hoping to get a better view from above. As the drone lifted into the sky, the picture became clear.
The creature in trouble was a scared brown dog paddling through the canal, exhausted and completely unsure where to go.
Clow immediately coordinated with the teams on the ground and in the water, guiding them toward the dog’s location.
But this pup wasn’t making it easy. Fear had taken over, and every time someone got close, he darted away.
He would swim in the opposite direction, as Clow shared in an interview:
“He would begin to swim toward the shore, then swim away whenever someone got close to him.”
With a little gentle nudging and a lot of patience, rescuers finally directed him toward a safe spot. Clow continued:
“Once the boat arrived on scene and the drone was above the dog, he began to swim away from both of them toward the shore. I was able to keep the drone close enough that the dog stayed near the shore and didn’t swim back out.”
When he came close enough, they reached out carefully and grabbed him by the scruff. Finally, they lifted him out of the water and onto solid ground.
San Mateo County Animal Control staff were waiting nearby, ready to wrap him in safety and comfort. Clow said:
“[He] was very tired and scared.”
Later that day, the best news arrived. The dog had a family, a family who had been worried sick, and animal control reached them right away.
Not long after, the pup was back home, warm, safe, and probably curled up in a favorite spot, finally able to rest.
Clow hopes this rescue serves as a reminder to keep gates secure, microchip pets, and always use a leash near water. Simple steps can prevent scary moments like this one.
A scared dog. A quick-thinking stranger who refused to walk away. A rescue team that moved with heart and skill.
And in the end, a family who got their beloved pup back, shaken but safe, all because one person paused, looked twice at a splash in the water, and chose to care.
It’s amazing how one small moment of kindness can change an entire story.
