A Florida police dog who tried to jump over a railing 75 feet above water was rescued by his handler — saving his life.
A K9 partner named Zeppelin was helping his partner, Brevard County Deputy Lauren Donaldson, make a felony arrest on a causeway east of Orlando along the Atlantic Coast when the dog suddenly jumped over the railing.
Donaldson said on Facebook post that Zeppelin was on a leash heading away from the detention area ‘and without warning decided to jump the rail.’
The video shows Donaldson reacting quickly and pulling Zeppelin up on his rope over the bridge back to safety.
Holding on to his K9 partner’s leash, Donaldson used his feet to brace himself against the railing, then reached over to pull the dog up and over the railing.
As soon as Zeppelin was pulled to safety, he is trotted away, tail wagging, as if nothing had happened.
A K9 partner named Zeppelin was assisting his partner, Brevard County Deputy Lauren Donaldson, with a felony arrest on a causeway east of Orlando along the Atlantic Coast when the dog suddenly jumped the railing
Donaldson said in the Facebook post that Zeppelin was on a leash heading away from the detention area ‘and without warning decided to jump the rail’
The video shows Donaldson reacting quickly and pulling Zeppelin up on his rope over the bridge back to safety
Sheriff Wayne Ivey was amazed at Donaldson’s successful effort given her size compared to the K9s.
“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’s soaking wet and holding a bowling ball,” said the Facebook post,” Wayne said
‘Without Lauren’s quick action, there is no doubt that the “Zeppelin” would have fallen approximately 75 feet into the Indian River and most likely to his death.’
Donaldson held on to his K9 partner’s leash and used his feet to brace himself against the railing, then reached out to pull the dog up and over the railing
As soon as Zeppelin was pulled to safety, he is trotted away, tail wagging, as if nothing had happened
The sheriff said he ‘couldn’t be more proud of (Donaldson)’ for saving Zeppelin’s life in the video posted on Facebook.
Zeppelin and Donaldson are back-to-back champs in the ‘Hardest Hitting K-9’ category of the Space Coast K-9 Competition, an annual event designed to showcase the skills of police dogs.
“I’m still mad at ‘Zeppelin’ for giving us all a huge scare, but so thankful that it’s okay and unharmed,” Ivey said.
