The main fire station in Villach went on an animal mission on Friday evening. A Bernese mountain dog had fallen into the Drau and threatened to be carried off.
The owner was out and about in Villach with her Bernese mountain dog “Seppl” on Friday evening when her four-legged friend suddenly fell into the Drau near the cycle path. “Around 5:30 p.m. we received the emergency call. We immediately moved out with several vehicles and a fire engine,” says the HFW Villach. “Seppl” was just able to hold on. According to the emergency services, the frightened dog was just able to hold on to the approximately three meter steep embankment. “Immediately, two scaling ladder sections were let down to the dog. A firefighter quickly climbed down to the animal to carry out an initial belay,” says chief fire inspector Martin Regenfelder. “At the same time, a fire brigade lifeboat was lowered into the water. The animal, which weighed around 65 kilograms, could then be rescued into the boat with a combined effort,” said the emergency services. A short time later, “Seppl” could be handed over to his happy owner, soaked but unharmed.
source site-12