Firefighters rescue dog clinging to log in swollen river

A tired and cold pit bull mix was pulled from the Rouge River on Wednesday afternoon by Southfield firefighters. Rescuers said the dog, nicknamed Nemo, could be heard barking as she clung to a log.



Firefighters using a special, flat-bottomed boat pulled Nemo ashore. "He is a large dog, and I was a little apprehensive thinking maybe he might just have that last … little bit of energy to bite us or claw us," said Southfield Fire Lieutenant Mark Hilla.

Nemo was taken to Michigan Veterinarian Specialists in Southfield, where doctors said she was rescued just in time. “Nemo is hooked up to an IV pump. So, we’re getting some fluids there, and we also have a heating and warming blanket.


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“The fluids are actually warmed as well to make sure that we try to get the temperature up,” said veterinarian Dr. Loretta Lee. She said the dog suffered from hypothermia, broken nails and cuts to her legs.