Credit: Instagram/@menlopark.firedistrict and eastpaloaltopd
A small dog missing for weeks has been rescued from open water after being spotted swimming in San Francisco Bay.
The dog, named Prieta, fled her home after being startled by Fourth of July fireworks, according to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.
Emergency services were alerted on July 16 when a passer-by saw the dog paddling in the water near the city of East Palo Alto, about 35 miles south of San Francisco.
Prieta had been swimming for about 40 minutes before rescuers reached her. The passer-by who spotted her said she “ran out into the water and just kept swimming”.
Prieta was pulled from the water after an operation involving multiple emergency crews
A joint rescue effort was launched by local fire crews, police and animal welfare officers to navigate what officials described as a “challenging water rescue”.
Ground crews initially used binoculars to track Prieta before deploying a drone to pinpoint her exact coordinates, approximately half a mile off the coast.
Video footage released by police captured the exhausted dog paddling through the water as birds hovered overhead.
Prieta was swimming in the bay for 40 minutes before she was rescued
The East Palo Alto Police Department joked: “Tiny dog escapes marsh, survives aerial assault by an organised gang of seagulls, and is rescued by the Menlo Park Fire Department. 12/10 action movie.”
Rescuers aboard a boat reached the tired swimmer, scooped her out of the waves and wrapped her in a warm jacket before bringing her back to land.
Prieta was wrapped in a warm jacket after being rescued from the water
Authorities described the rescue as ‘challenging’
Prieta was taken to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA shelter. Staff said she arrived “exhausted, scared, and with facial injuries from the ordeal”, before veterinarians tended to her scratches and settled her with a meal and water.
A scan of her microchip allowed staff to contact her owners, who rushed to the shelter and were reunited with Prieta just an hour later.
The owner thanked the rescue team, saying they were ‘forever grateful’ for bringing their dog home
After the rescue, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District praised the teamwork involved, posting: “Thank you to everyone who helped reunite this furry friend with its family!”
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA said: “We’re grateful to have played a part in bringing her home.”