Deputies Rescue 3-Month-Old Puppy From Storm Drain

TAMPA, FL - Deputy Tara Quezada was on patrol in eastern Hillsborough County on Tuesday when she was flagged down by residents and alerted to a small puppy that had fallen into a storm drain filled with water. The deputy found that the puppy was struggling to stay afloat.

Quezada called her partner in District 5 Deputy Zachary Shute for help. He quickly arrived on scene with some tools and together they were able to remove the storm drain cover. The puppy was deep within the storm drain and out of reach by the deputies, even when using a net that a bystander provided them.

So the deputies formulated a new plan. Holding Quezada's duty belt, Shute lowered her head first into the storm drain and she was able to use the net to rescue the puppy, which the deputies named "Poncho."

The deputies were unable to locate the puppy's owner so Poncho was taken to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center. Deputies are hopeful the Resource Center will locate Poncho's owner or find her a new adoptive home.

Photos via Hillsborough County Sheriff