HARLEM VALLEY – Firefighters from the Amenia Fire Company in Dutchess County, New York assisted first responders in North Canaan, Connecticut in rescuing a dog from a quarry cliff earlier this week. The incident began on Monday when the North Canaan Animal Control office received a voicemail at approximately 6 p.m. reporting a barking dog on Lower Road near the Specialty Minerals quarry.
Animal control personnel, assisted by quarry employees John and Bob Foley responded to Lower Road on Monday evening and said they could hear the dog barking but were unable to pinpoint the canine’s location.
North Canaan First Selectman Brian Ohler joined the search and deployed his drone to survey the area, but was also unable to locate the source of the distressed dog later identified as Rippy, a 30-pound terrier.
On Tuesday, May 7, the search efforts intensified, aided by Rippy’s owner who provided information about the still-barking dog. A quarry worker heard the dog barking from the same vicinity as the night before, indicating the dog had not traveled further. Amenia Fire Company spokesman Aaron Howard Jr. said there was a sense of urgency and the mining company staff joined in a coordinated search and rescue operation with the Amenia and North Canaan Fie Companies, Northwest Regional Rope Rescue Team, and EMS personnel from North Canaan Ambulance Company.
A pair of specially-trained rope rescuers descended approximately 50 feet down a cliff to reach Rippy and brought him back to the surface to be reunited with his human companion, Elizabeth O’Connell.
Amenia Fire Chief Christopher Howard and several of his firefighters assisted their Connecticut counterparts in the rescue of Rippy.
“The strong relationship between the Amenia Fire Company and the Northwest Regional Rope Rescue Team is fundamental to providing effective emergency response in Eastern Dutchess County and the Northwest corner of Connecticut,” Aaron Howard said. “Through regular joint training exercises and coordinated response efforts, these teams ensure rapid and efficient assistance in challenging situations, such as Rippy’s rescue.”
“We are immensely proud of our team’s swift response and collaboration with other agencies, resulting in the safe rescue of Rippy,” stated Amenia Fire Chief Christopher Howard. “This heartwarming outcome underscores the importance of community solidarity in times of crisis.”
