A Florida police dog that attempted to jump over a railing 75 feet above water was rescued by its handler, saving his life.
A K9 partner named Zeppelin was helping his partner Brevard County Deputy Lauren Donaldson with a misdemeanor arrest on a causeway east of Orlando along the Atlantic Coast when the dog suddenly jumped the railing.
Donaldson said on Facebook after that Zeppelin was on a leash when he walked away from the arrest area “and without warning decided to jump over the railing.”
The video shows Donaldson quickly reacting and pulling Zeppelin by his leash over the bridge, back to safety.
While holding her K9 partner’s leash, Donaldson used her feet to brace herself against the railing, then reached out to pull the dog over the railing.
Once Zeppelin has reached safety, he is driven away, wagging his tail as if nothing had happened.
A K9 partner named Zeppelin was helping his partner Brevard County Deputy Lauren Donaldson with a misdemeanor arrest on a causeway east of Orlando along the Atlantic Coast when the dog suddenly jumped over the railing
Donaldson said in the Facebook post that Zeppelin was on a leash and walking away from the arrest area “and without warning decided to jump the railing.”
The video shows Donaldson quickly reacting and pulling Zeppelin by his leash over the bridge, back to safety
Sheriff Wayne Ivey was amazed at Donaldson’s successful efforts, considering her size relative to the K9s.
“Lauren’s rescue of her beloved companion is even more amazing when you consider that ‘Zeppelin,’ a Belgian Malinois weighs approximately 80 pounds and Lauren weighs 250 pounds when soaking wet and holding a bowling ball,” the Facebook post said. said Wayne
“Without Lauren’s quick action, there is no doubt that “Zeppelin” would have fallen approximately 75 feet into the Indian River, most likely resulting in his death.”
While holding her K9 partner’s leash, Donaldson used her feet to brace herself against the railing, then reached forward to pull the dog over the railing.
Once Zeppelin has reached safety, he is driven away, wagging his tail 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 to Facebook.
Zeppelin and Donaldson are back-to-back champions in the “Hardest Hitting K-9” category of the Space Coast K-9 Competition, an annual event that aims to showcase the skills of police dogs.
“I’m still mad at ‘Zeppelin’ for scaring the hell out of us all, but I’m so grateful that it’s fine and unscathed,” Ivey said.