Sanger, California – On March 5th, a frantic citizen dialed emergency services to report a heart-stopping sight: two dogs stranded in the treacherous Friant Kern Canal near McKinley and Viau Ave. The desperate caller bravely tried to save the pooches, but the terrified animals panicked and swam off, deepening the drama.

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies Wells, Chang, and Lincoln raced to the scene, joined by a Fresno Humane Animal Services officer. For nearly 45 nail-biting minutes, the dogs floundered in the canal until they finally reached a tiny landing. Yet, escape still eluded them.

Cue the heroics. Deputies Wells and Chang, both seasoned Search and Rescue pros, sprang into action. With ropes sourced from Chang and quick-thinking locals, Wells plunged into the chilly waters. He deftly secured the lines to the exhausted pups, hauling them to safety on the shore. The daring rescue left the dogs shaken but unharmed, thanks to the deputies’ grit and skill.

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