Pipe That Claimed Dog’s Life Should Have Been Removed

Twenty firefighters, along with Department of Public Works employees, were unable to save the life of a black Labrador that had fallen into a pipe after getting away from his owner .

However, the pipe that claimed the life of Boomer shouldn’t have been there. Contractors, who had done work on at the end of Irene Drive, should have removed the pipe years ago upon completion of a project.

The PVC pipe that Boomer fell into is an approximately 1-foot wide and 10-foot deep vertical de-watering pipe. Director of Public Works Arlyn Johnson said de-watering pipes are dug to pump out water and lower groundwater levels before utility installations.

Johnson said contractors are required to remove the pipes and restore the area upon completion of a project.  And while the pipe is in the ground, some sort of barrier should protect it.

Tom Hoffman, the village's director of engineering services, said the pipe was located in a municipal sewer easement. Hoffman said years ago contractors put in sewer lines because septic tanks weren’t operating there.

“The pipe should have been removed by the contractors,” Hoffman said.

On Thursday, a village worker placed an orange road cone over the hole left behind by the pipe.

A Valiant Rescue Effort

Although the Fire Department was busy with numerous calls Wednesday night, Fire Chief Jeffrey Hevey called in 20 firefighters and assistance from the DPW to attempt to rescue Boomer.

Although it was a dog, Hevey said they treated the rescue as if it were someone’s family member.

“That’s basically a family member to the people who own the dog in that neighborhood,” Hevey said. “You have an animal that’s alive and struggling, and you just don’t turn your back.”

Rescuers spent more than an hour trying to save the dog, and a back hoe, three fire trucks and other vehicles were on the scene as part of the rescue effort. Hevey said workers dug around the pipe and tried to cut through it to rescue the dog, but couldn't get to it in time.

Even when they saw signs that Boomer had died, they still worked to remove the dog from the pipe, and took it to its owners.

Although Boomer couldn’t be saved, the effort by rescue crews was not lost on Don McInnes, a neighbor who witnessed the rescue operation next to his home on Irene Drive.

“I am so glad I live in this community, and I’m very proud of this fire department,” McInnes said. “I was witnessing humanity at its finest when I saw an effort like that. For someone that pays taxes, that’s exactly what you want to see.”

A Rare Incident

With nearly four decades of experience as a firefighter, Hevey said Wednesday’s pet rescue was like no other he had seen before.

“I’ve been doing this for 37 years, and this is my first experience with a pet in such dire straights,” he said.

The rescue effort also was a first for the department. Every year firefighters prepare for trench rescue operations, but Wednesday’s call was the first time they employed these skills in an actual incident.

“We’ve been training for these things for years, and this is the first time that we had to employ all our skills,” Hevey said. “We have the equipment here and they are trained, and last night they stepped up and did a real nice job. “

Hevey said the rescue operation was a unique team effort between the DPW and firefighters. Hevey called in DPW workers to utilize their trench digging expertise.

Johnson said there are procedures in place for responding to fire calls, but Boomer’s rescue has fueled discussions of a possibly including the DPW in trench rescue training exercises with the Fire Department.

“This is the first time that we have discussed public works being involve in that training as well,” Johnson said. “The DPW is well versed in trenching and excavating, and for us to participate with the Fire Department makes a lot of sense.”