Man, Dog Rescued From Rain-Swollen River

NORTH HOLLYWOOD — Hunk, a 10-year-old golden retriever, was pulled from the Los Angeles River on Wednesday after he and another dog ran away from their owner on Monday night, authorities said.

Los Angeles firefighters and animal services officers rescued the dog from the river at 10 a.m. near Forest Lawn Drive in Burbank, said Jackie David, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. Hunk had drifted about 5 miles downriver after falling into the water near Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood, she said.

At 8:30 a.m., an animal services officer responded to a call of a dog in the river at North Hollywood, David said. When the officers arrived they found Hunk standing on a concrete embankment on the south side.

While the officer waited for assistance, a man standing among onlookers on the opposite embankment attempted to rescue the dog, David said. Both Hunk and his would-be rescuer ended up in the river, which was swollen by overnight rains.

Los Angeles firefighters pulled the man from the river, David said. Hunk drifted until he was pulled from the swift-moving water by firefighter and animal services officers.

Hunk, who was wearing a dog identification tag, was taken to the East Valley animal shelter in North Hollywood. The dog was treated for hypothermia and exhaustion and reunited with his owner, Warren Craig, David said.

A second dog, a 5-year-old golden retriever, was picked up Wednesday afternoon near the river in Burbank and returned to the same owner.