Dramatic Video Shows Deputy Rushing to Save Police K-9 Who Jumped Over Bridge
Police dogs are not just pets at the office, they're loyal members of the team. Which is why one police woman in Brevard County, Florida went the extra mile to save her police canine partner after the pup did something scary while on a case recently.
The heart stopping video shows the exact moment that Deputy Lauren Donaldson's fast thinking saved the dog's life.
Donaldson was with the police dog, Zeppelin, on the 528 Causeway when it happened, CBS Austin reports. The pair were returning to Donaldson's police vehicle following a critical incident and felony arrest when Zeppelin leapt over the bridge's guard rail — a 75 foot drop.
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On Facebook, the police force shared video on the incident and explained that "coming back from the area of arrest and without warning, [Zeppelin] decided to jump over the rail."
The moment must've been terrifying, but luckily Zeppelin was still attached to Donaldson via his leash. Thinking fast, the police officer grabbed hold of the leash and managed to pull Zeppelin back up and over the rail.
"Thankfully, Lauren responded quickly to Zeppelin’s actions by tightly holding on to his lead, immediately bracing her feet against the railing, and then somehow, reaching over the guard rail and pulling Zeppelin back onto the bridge!!" the police force added in their statement.
The police department noted that not only was the save a miraculous feat of acting fast, but "Lauren’s rescue of her beloved partner is even more amazing when you consider that Zeppelin, a Belgian Malinois weighs approximately 75 pounds and Lauren weighs 122 pounds when she is soaking wet and holding a bowling ball, yet somehow she managed to not panic and pull Zeppelin back to safety!!"
They credited the police officer with doing the seemingly impossible. "Without Lauren’s fast action there is no question that Zeppelin would have fallen approximately 75 feet into the Indian River and most likely to his death!!"
The Brevard County Police Department noted that Donaldson and Zeppelin have been quite the duo in their time working together on the force. The pair are the two-time reigning champions of the “Hardest Hitting K-9” category of the Space Coast K-9 Competition.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who wrote the statement, said that he couldn't be more proud of Donaldson. He added that he was "still mad at Zeppelin for giving us all a huge scare," he wrote. But ultimately, "I am so grateful that he is okay and unharmed!"
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