The Conversation (0)
Sarah Ping
Oct 19, 2023
Fire services attended a house in Tottenham to save a husky that made its way onto a window ledge (London Fire Brigade)
A husky stranded on a thin window ledge in London has been safely rescued by firefighters armed with dog treats.
Worried neighbours alerted the fire services after they noticed the young puppy on the first floor of a building on Siward Road, Tottenham, last Friday.
It is believed the husky had pushed through a window that was left ajar before climbing onto the ledge.
The dog was whimpering and we were worried it was going to fall because the ledge was so narrow
Dan Poullais, leading firefighter
Firefighters used a 32-metre turntable ladder, which has a small platform, to bring the animal safely back on the ground.
Leading firefighter Dan Poullais said: “When we arrived at the house, we initially requested the support of the RSPCA and a Metropolitan Police dog handler but we could see the dog was whimpering and we were worried it was going to fall because the ledge was so narrow and it couldn’t turn around to get back inside.
“Rather than using one of our standard ladders, we thought the safest option would be to get our 32-metre turntable ladder to the scene so that we could bring the dog safely inside the ladder’s cage.”
Mr Poullais added that his colleague and dog lover, Nick Michaels, climbed the ladder with dog treats, provided by neighbours, to help bring the husky down.
Mr Poullais said: “(Mr Michaels) managed to get a collar and lead onto the dog and safely brought it down to the ground, where it began to calm down.
“Neighbours said they think the window was only slightly ajar and that the husky had managed to push the sash window up itself before climbing out.
“We were glad to help and the dog was safely returned to its owner when they returned home.”
The incident happened at around 10.20pm on Friday October 13 and was dealt with by firefighters by 11.12pm after a fire engine and a turntable ladder from Tottenham Fire Station attended the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters love animals and we are ready, willing and able to assist distressed or injured animals – the last thing we want is for people to put themselves at risk rescuing an animal themselves – but we do encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.”