A Husky dog is expected to make a full recovery after firefighters, police officers and a drone operator teamed up to perform a difficult rescue of the canine in deep marsh water in Lakemoor Monday morning.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District was requested around 6 a.m. Monday by the Lakemoor Police Department to assist with the rescue of a dog trapped in a marsh.
McHenry Township Fire Protection District Battalion Chief David Harwood said fire crews responded to the area of the 2200 block of Bay Oaks Drive in Lakemoor.
The dog, a 12-year-old Husky named Bandit, had become stranded several hundred feet into the marsh.
Firefighters, police officers and Pero Radulovic of Pet Rescue Backwoods Drone Search and Rescue used drone technology to locate Bandit, Harwood said.
The drone technology was used to guide rescuers through difficult terrain and deep marsh water.
Harwood said Lakemoor Police Officers Mat Herrick and Trevor Parlberg, equipped with fire department water rescue gear, made their way to the dog’s location.
Additional assistance was needed and firefighters entered the marsh where they deployed a flat-bottom rescue boat.
Rescuers successfully reached Bandit and transported him to safety, Harwood said.
He was brought back to land near the Harbor Lites mobile home park, 1009 Bay Road in unincorporated McHenry.
Bandit was reunited with his family and later taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. He is expected to make a full recovery.
“The successful rescue was the result of exceptional teamwork between the Lakemoor Police Department, MTFPD, and Pet Rescue Backwoods Drone Search and Rescue,” Harwood said.
“Drone technology played a critical role in locating Bandit, directing rescuers, and enhancing responder safety throughout the operation,” he added.