Police officers rescued two dogs from an underground tunnel filled with water after one canine refused to leave the other's side and barked for two hours until help arrived.
New York State's Village of Liberty Police Department responded at round 8 a.m. Saturday to a report of a dog barking for hours in the area of Edgar Street.
Officers followed the barking sound and discovered two dogs trapped in the tunnel.
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One side of the tunnel was inaccessible due to an unstable roof threatening to collapse, police said.
Officer Breann Jones and Dog Control Officer Joanne Gerow instead reached the dogs by 'climbing through a hole in a chain-link fence and sliding down a 7 foot concrete wall'.
A video shared by the police department shows officers locating the dogs about 40 feet into the tunnel. One of the dogs can be seen clinging to a concrete ledge in multiple feet of water, unable to jump up. The other remained with the trapped dog and barked.
When officers arrived, the second dog 'began to behave aggressively, appearing to protect her trapped friend'. A citizen, Tom Lewis, can be seen assisting officers in the rescue.
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Both dogs were eventually lifted seven feet up a concrete wall to safety.
“This was a beautiful example of canine loyalty at its highest level. At one point, the female literally jumped into the deeper water to protect her friend,” Gerow said in a statement.
“Officer Jones was fearless and we knew together we would not fail. My appreciation to Tom Lewis and another fine young man who also assisted."
The dogs have been released into the custody of Gerow, who is attempting to locate their owner.
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Anyone with information is asked to contact Gerow at Catskill Animal Rescue.
Featured Image Credit: Village of Liberty Police Department / LOCAL NEWS X /TMX