TX Crews Rescue Dog after 25-Foot Fall into Septic Tank

April 2, 2020
Ranger, a 2-year-old silver Labrador, was pulled out of a septic cistern by Arlington firefighters, and this weekend, the canine and his family plan to visit the fire station to thank those rescuers.

Amid all the bad news about the coronavirus pandemic, a dog was rescued in Arlington and hearts were happy on Thursday.

A dog named Ranger fell 25 feet into a septic cistern on Wednesday evening, but less than two hours later he was rescued by Arlington firefighters.

Ranger, a 2-year-old silver Labrador, was pulled out of the tank at a home in the 1400 block of Crown Hill Drive in Arlington.

No one was injured in the rescue.

Ranger and his family even plan to visit and say thank you again on Saturday at the firefighters’ Arlington fire station.

Arlington firefighters responded to the scene shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Erin Wallace told the Star-Telegram that Ranger, her family’s dog, had walked into their dark garage, and he apparently never saw the open septic pit.

“My daughter heard him (Ranger) hit metal and the water,” Wallace said. “My husband went down there, and a neighbor tried to help, but we finally decided we need to call the fire department and see if they could help.”

A “below grade technical rescue” was completed in less than two hours, and Ranger was rescued, according to Arlington fire Lt. Richard Fegan. The three rescuers were firefighters Erik Mason and Jace Yeager, and fire apparatus operator Robert Greene.

“After it was over, a captain told me that was one his favorite call in 25 years,” Wallace said.

And judging by the licks administered by Ranger to firefighters, he was very happy to be out.

“We are all grasping for positives during these times,” Wallace said. “This one was one of them.”

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©2020 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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