MASON CITY – A dog chased a squirrel up a tree today in East Park, and was tough to get down even for firefighters, eventually taking a tumble that will likely require a trip to the vet.
Early Thursday afternoon, William Printy of Rock Falls felt a little tug on the leash that was attached to his precious pet, a black lab named Keesha. He looked up to see her chasing a squirrel up a tree, on the east side of Kentucky Avenue near the frisbee golf hole and the train bridge.
“She was just up a little ways when I first saw her, but then she took off the rest of the way up the tree, to get that squirrel,” said Printy, a very upset and concerned pet owner. The dog was several dozen feet in the air.
Animal control officer Pat Gansen responded, and said, “We can’t just leave her there, we have to figure something out.”
“There is always that option to leave it. Stray cats, we leave, because they have the equipment to go up and down trees, dogs don’t,” commented Gansen. “I didn’t feel comfortable just leaving her to figure it out herself. She wanted to come down to be with him and she wanted the food. I have never found a dead cat in a tree, but we could have found a dead dog. This way she’s taken care of. We would have had to go to outside, private sources if we couldn’t have gotten anybody to help.”
The Mason City Fire Department assisted in the rescue, using their extended ladder to climb the tree and get a hold of of the dog by her leash. Trying to entice Keesha to come down slowly and encouraging her with food and her owner at the bottom, they gave a little tug. She came down a little, but fell the rest of the way. She didn’t yelp, but was hurt and limping.
“I’m thinking and hoping it’s just a sprain,” said Printy, rubbing her back leg.
He said he would be taking Keesha to Pioneer Animal Hospital to be checked out.
httpv://youtu.be/6_uXffzPOao
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I’m kidding of course but I hope the dog didn’t rub any bark off the tree and combined with the cost to the city of having a fire dept call this could obviously be a felony charge. Or we could just find the squirrel and if he refuses to pay put him in front of a firing squad – as long as it is in season of course.
Exactly, what did the worthless dog catcher do, nothing. I’m surprised that she showed up. Usually she’s on the other side of town or has a flat tire. I’ve seen her setting in the parking lot of Menards talking on the phone. I’ve seen her out east of town by NIACC, lots of dogs running loose out there. Oh, this time she must have been setting in east park talking on the phone, why else would she show up. She carries dog treats to take to barking dog complaints to quiet the dog. Tax money…
If I’m not mistaken, she is untouchable due to a previous lawsuit or complaint against the city. She has them by the balls and can do anything she wants.
Maybe the city should stop bullying people then!
I don’t always agree with her decisions but this time I know for a FACT that if it were not for her the dog would of been left in the tree. Yup I heard that! Is it against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving? Anyway its dangerous especially without a ear piece.
I heard this on the scanner when it was called in. To my surprise the FD chief wanted to leave the dog in the tree to come down on its own. Thanks to Animal control who wouldn’t give up helping this dog.Good Job Pat!
I heard the exact same thing as well.
Fantastic job Pat!
Good job Pat.. really……She is the most worthless person the the city payroll has…. She should have been fired years ago
Your comment made me LAUGH because we have city leaders who want to bully and destroy a man’s house. That’s just naming one. I could go on but I’m afraid I don’t have time!