A New Jersey police officer is being lauded for paddling a kayak to the middle of a pond to rescue a dog stuck neck-deep in the muck.
Washington Township officers were responding to a dog in distress and found Akela, a gray boxer/mastiff, struggling in the water.
Officer John Kuligowski paddled out to Akela in a kayak as video footage shows Kuligowski trying to position the kayak next to Akela and pull her to safety. He is unable to pull her aboard, but eventually guides her to shore.
Chief Thomas Cicerelle and officer Dallas Overko provided additional help in the rescue. Akela was unharmed and even posed for some photos with her three rescuers once on shore.
“Akela was in high spirits after her ordeal and even posed for a few quick pictures before being turned over to Animal Control Solutions,” the department said.
Akela had gotten loose before landing in the pond and the police still have not located Akela’s owners.
Today our officers were called for a k9 in distress. Akela, a gray boxer/mastiff had gotten loose and found herself …
Posted by Washington Township Police Department on Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Police have asked anyone who knows Akela’s owners to have them contact either Animal Control Solutions at (908) 722-1271 or the Washington Township Police.
