Andrea Rosebrock 
Last Friday, an amazing rescue of a dog trapped in the flooded Los Angeles River had people transfixed as it was broadcast live. People watched as firefighters tossed flotation devices which proved useless, watch as the dog attempted to scale the steep side only to slide back down again until finally a firefighter was lowered down to rescue the dog. Mission accomplished, dog save, fireman slightly injured because the dog was terrified. Basically a happy ending all around.
This was wonderful, the scared stranded dog, the heroic firemen doing everything they could to rescue “man’s best friend” from what would have been a sure death yet there are people who criticize. Hailed as heroes by most everyone, there have been reports that “they have also been vilified by a few in blogs, on social networks and story comment sections. “
Sad, just sad!
Saving a German shepherd stuck in the rising Los Angeles River was the right thing to do, the risks were slight, rescue crews were on standby, extra taxpayer money wasn’t used and the alternatives were unacceptable, authorities said
“You’re not going to please everybody. There’s always 10 percent, they either don’t like animals or think we are wasting taxpayer money,” Capt. Steve Ruda said.
“About an eighth of a mile downstream from the rescue site, the water was much deeper and the current much faster, Reyes said.
The dog would have drifted on down and died. Do you just wait at the mouth of the river and wait for the carcass? Any way you slice it, that is unacceptable. They would not have been able to live that down,” Capt. Aaron Reyes, director of operations for the SAACA shelter said. “They made a decision and we support that decision.”
Well, I for one, applaud these amazing heroes for going the extra distance to save what some would call “just a dog” and I am quite sure that Vernon, as the dog has been named is pretty grateful to be alive too!
The firefighter who actually went into the river to pluck Vernon out, Joe St. Georges, 50, the 25-year firefighting veteran, was injured when the dog bit him during the rescue and is recovering.
“I knew the dog was scared and tired. It’s not too surprising that it was really upset with this big, loud noisy thing blowing all over it,” St. Georges, said. “And then some guy comes and jumps on its back — what a surprise the dog bit me.”
As for Vernon, no owner has come forward yet although there have been about 1000 offers to adopt him, he’s doing well, basking in the attention and has turned out to be a real lover.
You watch the video below, a newscast from the Friday, 1/22 which includes footage of the actual rescue and you tell me what you think. Does the LAFD deserve criticism or kudoes? Need I even ask? 
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And a great big thank you to the LA Fire Department and Joe St. Georges, who know that all life is important and a dog is more than “just a dog!”
When one of these complaining idiots gets stuck in a river, under ice, or dangling off a bridge, they’re not going to be pleased when rescue crews get there and say “Can you not die in the next 30 minutes because I have to read the manual. Because we didn’t want to waste taxpayer money saving other living things”. Besides saving all living things, these rescues keep the skills sharp.
LAFD great job , for the 10% who complain go F— yourself ,( I hope this does not get me in trouble)
I think it’s great that they rescued the dog. Isn’t this what it is suppose to be like – saving lifes. So they criticize the fire dept. Ah where’s the owner that left the dog and hasn’t come back to claim him? Oh well, it’s just a dog as some think. Obviously those people do not think! Great job to the firefighter!!!
Great job all of who were involved in this rescue!
Andrea, I agree with you and Terry both! WTG LAFD and firefighter Joe St. Georges! There are more who applaud you than disagree with what you have done. You saved a life – whether it be a human or an animal – you saved a life. Wonder what would have been said had it been a child out there in the river? There is a special place in heaven for you Joe St. Georges. Hope your recovery time is short, and Vernon didn’t mean it; he was just a scared little boy.
Did anyone notice Vernon’s front legs when he was airlifted, and his legs were in the “walking/swimming” motions? How cool is that? To me, that tells me he felt more secure after St. Georges had him in his arms.
That a human being would question the efforts of other humans to step up and save a living being speaks volumes for the lack of evolved consciousness of far too many people.
Thankfully, the majority of humans are not willing to remain neanderthals that are completely out of touch with what makes us truly human.
“Until one has loved an animal, part of his soul remains unawakened.” ~Anatole France
WOW!!! Joe…u r ONE awesome dude! sorry Vernon bit u but u SO understood. u MUST have a dog. u did a great job saving this boy, thank u so very much. i do hope somebody gives him a furever home….soon. as 2 those ppl who criticized the fire dept…..screw ‘em! a life is a life is a life……what does it matter whether it has 4 legs or u?????
it was so cool, 2, that a fireman carried Vernon over 2 the vehicle…bless ‘em all.
Wonderful, feel good story, and the only one’s who could complain about that must enjoy all the negativity in our world. I wish them well, cause with that kind of attitude, they don’t have a chance at ever smelling the roses along the way!
They deserve Kudos’s of course!!! Well done LAFD!!! A life is a life.
Love the firefighters for all they do(saving human and animal lives!!! All brave and heroes, in my book!
Kudos to you firefighter St. Georges!!! I commend the LAFD for saving Vernon from the river. I would like to point out to all of those interested in adopting Vernon, that there are bound to be other wonderful dogs at that shelter that would make a wonderful companion as well! It would be nice if they also got a chance at a loving forever home too!
KUDOS to the LA fire dept. and Joe St Georges, you guys are heros! Of COURSE they should have tried to save Vernon, and sad that some have so little regard for other creatures.
Good Job LAFD!!!!! You did the right thing!!!! And even if you did use a little of the taxpayers money,dogs, cats, and other animals have just as much right to survive as humans do, and actually they have MORE right!!!! Their love is unconditional, unlike ours, and they have never destroyed a planet – - – -have they?????!!!!!!! They just have to try to survive on a planet that we humans have ruined and won’t stop adding to the damage – - – - WE have destroyed a planet – - – HAVEN’T WE!!!!!!!!
i saw the 4 firefighters on the Ellen show this afternoon…it was kinda cool.
I dont know this fire fighter,.,,but i sure love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! be nice if he could take the doggie!!
This is wonderful.I am so impressed with these men saving this dog.Way to go guys.
The family who owns this dog came to the shelter a few days ago, and they also lost their Golden Retriever that same day of the rains/floods, who was at the shelter too! Because this dog bit his rescuer, he is still under quarantine though, so can’t go home yet.
I don’t know the circumstances of their escape, but hopefully the family will be more careful to prevent it happening again, and put collars or microchips their dogs now. They are very lucky to have their family members back!
I wish them all well, and thanks to the people responsible who rescued both of them!
Well done LAFD – and who cares what the minority says? When it comes to saving a life – tax dollars shouldn’t even be an issue.
And what devotion – to save a dog – get bit in the process and not care or blame te dog.
So sad the owner hasn’t reclaimed or at least enquired…..scum – he doesn’t deserve this beautiful dog.
Whenever I encounter people who complain about pets being rescued from dangerous situations by some government rescue agency, I tell them one reason they do this is to keep good-hearted but unqualified civilians from mounting their own rescue attempts only to end up needing rescuing themselves. At that point, the rescue would be much more dangerous and expensive. Better to get the animal out right away before the situation gets worse. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that. I do what I can to convince them, but in the end I just can’t fix stupid.