By Rick Bella for The Oregonian
MULINO — Firefighters executed a low-angle rope rescue this afternoon to retrieve a dog trapped in an icy creek.
The dog, a young male golden retriever-yellow Labrador mix, was freed and pulled to safety. Then he was dried off and reunited with his owner.
Lt. Tim Woods of the Molalla Fire District, said the dog, who likes playing in the water, dived into Milk Creek near South Windy City Road south of Oregon City shortly after 2 p.m. However, when he swam across, his collar became hooked on a tree limb sticking up from the bank.
The dog’s owner, who lives near the creek, spotted his dog struggling to get free around 2:50 p.m. and called 9-1-1.
“He was stuck for about 30 to 40 minutes, Woods said. “I’m sure if the owner hadn’t found him, he would have succumbed. The water is very cold this time of year.”
The dog apparently is none the worse for wear, despite his ordeal, Woods said.