Firefighters from the Tucson Fire Department freed a German Shepherd trapped beneath a vehicle on Christmas Eve after a coordinated on-scene effort that included securing traffic on a wet roadway and carefully moving the car until the animal could be pulled to safety.

The crew was already nearby responding to a separate car fire when they encountered the dog, whose paw had become pinned beneath the rear tire of a vehicle. Rain had left the roadway slick, and firefighters temporarily stopped traffic to create a secure work area where they could examine the situation and take steps to free the animal without causing further injury.

According to reporting by WJLA The National Desk and local coverage from KVOA, the firefighters placed the car in neutral and rolled it forward, moving the vehicle just enough to allow rescuers to reach the dog and pull it from beneath the tire. The department described the animal as “scared and trembling” upon rescue but said the dog “appeared to be OK.” Crews then transferred the animal to an animal control officer for further care and assessment.

The extraction required coordination and deliberate action on a slick surface. Firefighters first ensured that oncoming vehicles were stopped and that the scene was safe for both responders and the animal. With traffic blocked and the area secured, personnel worked methodically to manipulate the vehicle. Placing the car in neutral and rolling it forward was the selected tactic to minimize movement that could worsen the animal’s condition while creating the necessary clearance to free the paw.

Officials on scene emphasized the care taken during the rescue. KVOA’s reporting detailed the sequence of actions — blocking traffic, stabilizing the scene, communicating among crew members and moving the vehicle a short distance — that allowed the dog to be freed without further injury. After the dog was removed from under the car, firefighters performed a visual assessment and maintained contact with animal control to ensure the animal received a professional health evaluation.

The Tucson Fire Department issued a brief statement following the rescue, noting the animal was “scared and trembling but appeared to be OK.” In a separate comment reflecting on the call, the department added, “We’re glad this Christmas Eve call ended with everyone, humans and pups, safe.” The department’s messaging underscored the dual priorities on the scene: addressing the immediate safety needs of the animal and maintaining overall public safety on a rainy holiday evening.

Responders handed the German Shepherd over to an animal control officer, who took custody of the dog to conduct further assessment and arrange any necessary follow-up care. The transfer marked the conclusion of the firefighting crew’s involvement and the beginning of animal-welfare oversight by the appropriate authority.

Both WJLA and KVOA covered the event, highlighting how local emergency responders adapted standard operating procedures to address an unexpected animal rescue while already engaged nearby on an unrelated call. The incident concluded without reported injury to the animal or to responding personnel, and the Tucson Fire Department noted that the collaborative effort on scene — securing traffic, manipulating the vehicle with care and coordinating with animal control — led to a successful outcome.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.