When a ten-week-old pug named Hank got stuck in a PVC pipe on Sunday, the firefighters of West Palm came to the rescue.
That afternoon, Lisa Gerard and her two daughters, Hannah and Lila, had visited Lisa’s sister Marisa Marulli, and brought their puppy Hank along with them.
A few minutes after Lisa stepped out to walk Hank, she yelled up to Marisa’s roommate. Something was clearly wrong, prompting Marisa to rush out of the house with green acne cream still covering her face.
After noticing Lisa’s frightened expression, Marisa looked down the PVC pipe and saw Hank’s little face. The pup was stuck so far down the six-foot-deep pipe, he was barely visible. Prior to that day, Marisa hadn’t noticed the inconspicuous pipe, which was located near bushes and trees, with its opening flush to the ground.
Hank was stuck all the way down, without even an inch of free space. The family became distraught, fearing the worst for their beloved pet, and many tears were shed as they awaited the assistance.
A frantic 911 call brought six firefighters to the residence. Because Hank was stuck too far into the pipe to be grabbed out of it, the rescuers came up with a plan B: to dig around the pipe until they were able to saw part of it off. As they got to work, they ran an oxygen tube down the pipe to help Hank breathe.
After spending the better part of an hour digging the six-foot hole, the firefighters sawed at the pipe, ultimately removing half of it. Julian Stout, the firefighter in the hole, was able to retrieve Hank and hand him off to his colleagues.
Hank was examined by a vet from Animal Control, who detected a fever and recommended a cool bath. After spending a terrifying hour or two trapped in the pipe, he’s back to his old self, and his family is quite relieved!
Thank you all <3 So glad the puppy is safe 🙂 Hope he is well today.
Thank you for helping Hank ! Glad he is back home with his family.
Thank you to all who helped this pup.
So nice to read happy stories. Good on you firefighters, you rock! Thank you for all the good you do. A lot of (law enforcement) people should take an example…
Fire Fighters are the best fir animals needs…Police do not know how to deal with animals Too many join the police force for the wrong reason….Would not trust them…..Too many animals have been shot by police……
I’m so glad Hank is safe. Bless those good firefighters!
WOW……….thanks to all the fire fighters who saved Hank. YOU ALL ROCK!!
a good news
WHAT IF THAT HAD BEEN AN UNATTENDED CHILD??? LET NO PIPES OF ANY SIZE GO UNCAPPED!!! ABANDONED WELLS, MANHOLES, SINKHOLES…COVER THEM SECURELY!!! KUDOS TO THE COMPASSIONATE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO SAVED THIS STRANDED PUPPY!!! HATS OFF!!!
Bless him. May he live a long and happy life.
Thank you Hank !
I am thankful that Hank is safe and sound. I recommend that Hank be on a leash on future walks.
Well done for rescuing Hank. I’m delighted he was rescued. He looks so lovely.
So glad they saved him
Thank you to the fire fighters. They have stepped in once again. True heros.
West Palm firefighters ROCK!!!
Thank you for your KINDNESS!!!
Yea to those firefighters that helped the puppy and its’ family.
Thank goodness for the emergency services and his quick thinking family.
How wonderful that the firefighters were able to save this doggie!!