HAMDEN, Conn. — A pet owner is grateful to the Hamden Fire Department after his 7-year-old dog collapsed Wednesday while the two were at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Connecticut.
After hiking the entire park, Maria, a German shepherd mix, collapsed.
Maria was found one-third of the way down the trail and was carried to an ATV via a portable stretcher.
WVIT reported that Maria's owner called for help at 7:23 p.m. Wednesday because he could not move her from the trail on his own.
The New Haven Register reported that the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection assisted the firefighters, according to a Thursday news release.
Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede said Maria appeared to collapse because of dehydration and exhaustion.
Maria went home to rest with her owner, according to Merwede.