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WATCH: Police use canoe to rescue dog stranded in North Carolina river

Via GC PD / YouTube

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Police in Gaston County, North Carolina, used a canoe to rescue a dog stranded in the middle of the South Fork of the Catawba River on Friday.

Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement specialists Steven Rector and Joseph Toney went to the area of 119 Willow Drive in Lowell after receiving a report about a stranded dog.

There, the specialists saw the dog stranded on debris in the middle of the river against the bridge support for Interstate 85.

The area was accessible only by boat, officials said.

Despite the steady rain and poor weather, the specialists began to rescue the dog.

Rector retrieved his personal canoe from his home and returned to the riverbank. He and Toney then used the canoe to save the dog.

The dog was in fear and aggressive, Rector and Toney said.

Rector was able to secure the dog while Toney kept the canoe from tipping over. Eventually, they assisted the dog into the canoe.

Both the officers and the dog returned safely to shore.

The dog was uninjured and has been placed into the Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement Shelter.

Anyone who knows the owner of the dog is encouraged to call Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement at 704-866-3320.