Nora Springs fire department rescues dog from cliff

NORA SPRINGS – A dog fell off a cliff and the Nora Springs fire department came to the rescue.

Joe Berding, a member of the Nora Springs fire department, described the harrowing incident, saying they “rescued a black lab that fell off a cliff into the river … luckily the dog was able to get onto a ledge where it was stranded. But we where able to lower a firefighter down to it and get a harness around the dog bring (him) back up safely.”

Mr. Berding says the incident “took courage and skill and lots of team work.”

Terri Crisp Swanson, whose family owns “Zach”, thanked the fire department for their courage.

“For those of who you know us, it won’t surprise you that this was our Zach,” Mrs. Swanson said via social media. “We are so grateful to the Nora Springs Police officer and the Nora Springs Fire Department for saving our puppy. Seeing my little girl’s heart break at the possibility of losing her puppy or seeing him hurt was unbearable. Hearing the officer say to her “you go home with your mom and we’ll get your puppy home to you” was heart warming. With tears in her eyes she looked at it like he was a super hero. Again, thank you so much for risking so much on a cold, windy, dark night to remind us how truly blessed we are. THANK YOU!”