PETA Honors Secaucus Firefighters Who Saved Dog From Pipe

SECAUCUS, NJ — Last week, we told you about Secaucus firefighters who worked for hours on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18 to rescue a dog that had become stuck in an underground pipe at Laurel Hill Park.

On Tuesday, at the Secaucus town Council meeting, those firefighters will be honored by PETA. At the Council meeting tomorrow night, PETA will present the firefighters with a framed certificate, a box of vegan cookies, and a copy of "The Engine 2 Diet," a Texas firefighter's 28-day plan for staying in prime shape by eating vegan meals.

The dog, Khaleesi, and her ownes, will also be in attendance at the meeting tomorrow night, and they will reunite with the men and women who rescued her. The Secaucus Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27.

On Saturday, Nov. 17 Khaleesi had been running off-leash in Laurel Hill when she entered the pipe and became stuck nearly six feet into it. Fire crews started to dig out the area around the pipe, but when it became too dark to continue safely, they had to postpone their efforts until the following morning.

"Behind the dog run in Laurel Hill, there is a wooded area (very close to where Field Station: Dinosaurs) used to be, and there is an old foundation of a house there," said Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli. "They were letting their dog run and the dog saw a rabbit, and chased it. The rabbit went into the pipe and so did the dog."

The pipe had a trap in it, possibly an "S trap" with a bend in it, said Mayor Gonnelli, and the dog had become stuck.

"They dug until about 9:30 p.m. Saturday night, but they still couldn't get to the pipe," said Mayor Gonnelli. "We decided to call it off that night and try again in the morning."

They resumed work at 8 a.m. Sunday.

"We had to shore the building up," said Gonnelli, who used to be a firefighter. "We had to physically dig by hand six feet down around the pipe." Firefighters then had to use the jaws of life to cut several feet of pipe away. Finally, Sunday morning, Nov. 18, she was freed.

"The Secaucus Fire Department didn't give up until this little dog was safe again, back in her family's arms," says PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien.

In a press release PETA put out about the Tuesday night event, the organization also said: "PETA notes that in addition to walking them on a leash and harness, guardians should never allow their dogs to roam outside unattended. They should also keep yards safe with sturdy fencing and by ensuring that there are no potentially poisonous plants or other materials and no open manholes or pipes."

"PETA hopes this story will remind dog guardians to keep their animal companions near them on walks by using a leash and comfortable harness and encourage everyone always to come to the aid of animals in need," said O'Brien.

Past Patch reporting: Dog Rescued From Pipe In Secaucus After 24-Hour Ordeal

Top photo from Secaucus Councilman Mike Costantino.