Second dog remains at friend’s side until rescue
Emergency responders from several St. Charles Parish agencies jumped into action Sunday morning to save a yellow Labrador that was tangled in vines in the middle of a Luling canal.
Jarad Charpentier, a deputy fire chief for the Paradis Volunteer Fire Department, was working at the parish’s Emergency Operations Center when he received a call from a concerned citizen who witnessed the Labrador treading water near the Cousins Canal pump station.
The only way to save the dog was by boat. A chocolate lab was also in the area and refused to leave the other dog behind.
After receiving the call at 8 a.m., Charpentier dialed the 911 dispatch center to have a deputy respond to the scene and get eyes on the dog.
“Deputy Holly Laurent was on the scene fast to assist. Bayou Gauche Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Stinnet was in just the right place at the right time to give access to, and assist, incoming rescue personnel.
“A lot of the parish departments had to come together. We needed rescue support.”
Oliver Dufrene, the fire chief of the Paradis Volunteer Fire Department, arrived at the canal and used a rescue boat to get to the dog.
“She wasn’t touching the bottom and a vine was wrapped around her neck,” Dufrene said. “I was able to remove the vine and get the dog in the boat. She was very tired and just laid there.”
As for the chocolate lab lying on the bank, he swam into the water and followed the boat back to safety.
Dufrene said the rescue operation wasn’t out of the norm for a firefighter who has spent 40 years on the job.
“I have gotten cats out of trees, rescued birds…you can pretty much name it and I’ve done it,” he said.
Workers from the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter took custody of the dogs after the rescue. Both animals were reunited with their owner later that day.
While Charpentier said the EOC does handle animal complaints, it was unusual to receive a call about a dog in such dire circumstances. He was proud of how several parish departments came together to save the dog’s life.
“It’s a partnership and all of our departments have a very good relationship,” he said. “Everyone came together and worked very well with each other.”
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