Firefighters called out to rescue dog stuck in tree

Tippi the dog climbed 5 metres up a tree and needed to be rescued by volunteer firefighters. The 11-year-old canine tree climber clawed her way up a tree in Northland, New Zealand, at about 11.30am on Sunday, leaving herself stranded and perched on a branch.

Owner Robyn Martinovich said it was too high for her to climb as she had just been released from hospital and her husband was away working. "I didn't have any other options so I rang 111. It was really embarrassing telling the operator I had a dog stuck in a tree." After confirming that yes it was a dog stuck in a tree the volunteer firefighters from Dargaville were alerted.

 

"The firemen all turned up smiling and were really awesome. I don't think they get to many callouts like that." On arrival a ladder was extended into the branches with one firefighter climbing high. He was able to tuck the tan-and-white coloured Jack Russell cross under his arm and safely deliver her to the ground again. Ms Martinovich said she suspected Tippi had been hunting for birds when she got stuck.

Tippi has history of tree climbing. Last year she also ascended a tree. Ms Martinovich said on that occasion she was able to climb the tree herself and reach Tippi but then found herself stuck and had to wait in the branches for about 20 minutes until her husband returned home and the duo could both be rescued. She said tree climbing wasn't something she could stop her dog from doing. "Hopefully if it happens again I'll be in a state to rescue her."