A Deerfield-Bannockburn firefighter found a puppy, who had been missing for days, whimpering behind the fire station and reunited her with her family.
The Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District said Saturday that Firefighter Brady Niemiec had just exited his personal vehicle.
Niemiec, who was off-duty, heard a whimper and followed the sound.
The firefighter found a dog with her leash wrapped around piping behind the fire station’s air conditioning unit.
The dog, named Coco, was reunited with her family in a “very emotional unification,” fire officials said.
It is unknown how long the 9-month-old puppy was stuck behind the air conditioning unit.
“An amazing story to serve as a reminder to know and check on your surroundings, family, friends and neighbors,” the fire district said.
According to a Nextdoor post, Coco ran away with her red leash still attached around 5 a.m. on Tuesday near the Coromandel Condo.
She was located at the fire station on Thursday. “Thank you everyone for all support. We really appreciate it,” the owner said on Nextdoor.
“Thanks FF Niemiec for always being ‘on duty,'” the fire district added.