Passers-by, police rescue dog from water off Long Island
In this photo provided by the Suffolk County Police Department, rescuers pose with a hound mix named Wilbur after the dog was pulled from the chilly waters of the Great South Bay in West Sayville, N.Y., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Wilbur was taken to an animal hospital where he was reunited with his owner and is expected to make a full recovery. From left are Ary McCarthy, Suffolk County Police Officer Ryan McAdam, and Beth Higbie. (Suffolk County Police Department via AP)
WEST SAYVILLE, N.Y. — Police and passers-by have teamed up to rescue a dog that was clinging to floating debris in chilly water off Long Island.
Suffolk County police say the hound mix, Wilbur, wandered out of his West Sayville yard. Then passer-by Ary McCarthy spotted him struggling in the Great South Bay around 8:15 a.m. Saturday and called police.
While police were responding, McCarthy and onlooker Beth Higbie went into the roughly 41-degree (5-degree Celsius) water to get Wilbur.
Officers Ryan McAdam and Dave Verrelli helped bring him to shore and wrap him in towels.
Wilbur was taken to an animal hospital and reunited with his owner. The dog is expected to make a full recovery.
