Dog rescued from Intracoastal Waterway by NMB emergency crew

By RUBEN LOWMAN

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26, North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue B-Battalion’s Squad 3 and Battalion 1 were requested for an animal rescue called in by Strand Tower at the Grand Strand Airport.

A dog ended up getting stuck down an embankment on airport property bordering the Intracoastal Waterway.

NMBFR personnel proceeded across the runway once granted clearance and made their way to the enbankment to get a visual and then made their way down to the dog who appeared friendly but frightened.

The NMB Rescue Squad responded with their “Merlin” boat along the ICW to assist and coordinated getting the dog’s owner to the area to help get the dog safely away from the banks and back to dry land where they could safely return home.

Great work was done by all crews in successfully rescuing the stranded dog and reuniting it with its owner. First responder units had the area cleared just after 7 p.m.

NMB Fire Rescue personnel said the dog was very lucky that engineer Darcie Shotts was working that day, as she was not going to clear the call until she knew that the dog was safe and sound. Shotts is the resident “animal whisperer” for NMBFR.