LIBERTY, NY —  On 07/29/23 at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Village of  Liberty Police Department responded to a report of a dog barking for over two hours in the area of Edgar Street in the Village of Liberty. Responding officers were able to follow the sound of the continuous dog barking to an underground box culvert running along Edgar Street. The dogs were inaccessible from one side of the tunnel due to the threat of collapse of an unstable roof. Police Officer Breann Jones and Dog Control Officer/Constable Joanne Gerow could access the tunnel from a different location by climbing through a hole in a chain link fence and sliding down a 7-foot concrete wall.

Jones and Gerow were able to maneuver low clearance and reached the dogs about 40 feet into the underground box culvert while following the sounds of relentless barking. One dog was partially submerged with his paws holding onto a rock ledge. He was unable to free himself. The other dog continued to bark, refusing to leave the trapped dog's side.   As the officers got closer, the dog began to behave aggressively, appearing to protect her trapped friend. With the assistance of a concerned citizen, Tom Lewis, PO Jones, and DCO Gerow were able to secure the female dog in order to safely rescue her canine companion from the water. 

The team and the dogs were able to successfully exit the culvert together. 

Both dogs were lifted 7 feet up a concrete wall to complete the rescue. The dogs appeared to be in good health and were turned over to DCO Gerow who is currently attempting to identify the dogs' owner. Dog Control Officer Joanne Gerow stated, “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. 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."

A big thank you to DCO Joanne Gerow and Tom Lewis for working together with LPD to rescue these dogs. Anyone who may know the owner of the dogs is asked to contact Joanne Gerow at Catskill Animal Rescue at 845-747-9450.

The trapped dogs are now safe thanks to the help of the Liberty Police Department.