Good Samaritans save dog

SANDUSKY — Many people — including a deputy dog warden, police officers and several community members — united to rescue a stranded dog, hidden from plain view and stuck in a boathouse for about two days. A person fostering Elmer, on a trial adoption basis, lost track of the Siberian husky on Thursday. Searches for him turned up empty later in the day and on Friday. Then, on Saturday morning, one of the man's neighbors — within the 800 block of Curran St. in Sandusky — heard a dog faintly howling but didn't see any animal. Residents believed the dog's cries came from a boathouse, which ultimately proved correct. Stephanie Stanley, a deputy dog warden for Erie County, became aware of this situation and, while off-duty, traveled to the waterfront neighborhood to lend assistance. Upon arriving, she realized this boathouse, within a complex of others, had separate entrances: one accessible from Curran Street and another only reachable from the water: off a basin or slip leading into Sandusky Bay. A resident said he hadn't seen anyone at this boathouse in years, according to a related police report. Stanley then ventured inside the boathouse complex and slowly descended a ladder to get a better look. Initially, she saw Elmer's reflection, and then she locked eyes with the dog, calling out to him. "I remember Elmer: He had been at the pound for about two months beforehand," Stanley said. Stanley, however, couldn't touch him as he was too far away: tucked away in a narrow corner, underneath a dock, curled up and barely staying above water. Immediately thereafter, she located a nearby kayak and got into the boat. Upon paddling, she could navigate the entrance only accessible by water and finally came into contact with Elmer. "By the grace of God, he was on top of some muck and rock, under the flap of the boathouse," said Stanley, unsure of exactly how Elmer found himself in this position. "That area, if a boat were in the water, that's where the front of the boat would be." When boarding the kayak, Stanley brought a slip-tie leash with her. It functions as both a collar and a leash by forming a loop that slips over a dog's head. Upon getting within arm's reach of Elmer, she reached out to him and placed the leash on him. Stanley then pulled his frail 50-pound body to within the kayak's seating area in front of her. Stanley then straddled Elmer, to ensure he'd stay within the confines of the kayak, paddling back to officers at the Curran Street entrance. "It felt like a lifetime that moment," said Stanley, who noted Elmer's barks intensified upon hearing and remembering her voice as she inched closer to his location. "He was definitely really scared, and I told him everything was going to be OK when he got on the kayak." Miraculously, Elmer didn't suffer any health setbacks. "We checked him for hypothermia, and he was good," Stanley said. "He wasn't thirsty because he had a great water source, but he was definitely hungry." Stanley credited two groups of people who greatly aided her in the rescue: • Sandusky police Sgt. Eric Costante and Officer Lisa Lenthe stayed on the scene during this entire rescue and pulled Elmer from Stanley's kayak to stable ground. • Many neighbors encouraged Stanley. They even gave her a makeshift harness, holding its line so they wouldn't lose sight of her. This also helped balance her kayak, which weaved through tightly fitting areas. Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver commended everyone who played a part in Elmer's rescue. "It was great work by all involved," Oliver said. "The teamwork and fast response made all the difference." Erie County Dog Warden Barb Knapp, who's recovering from a knee injury, also praised all the good Samaritans, talking with immense pride when specifically referencing Stanley's heroics. "I'm very proud of her and the way she handled the situation," Knapp said. "It worked out really well." Stanley, who owns four dogs herself, loves all dogs and would do anything to help one in danger. "It was just a privilege that I could be out there and could rescue him, but I could not have done it without the community and police officers who helped me," she said. Stanley, meanwhile, noted Elmer is back at Erie County's dog pound and can be adopted. "He's roughly 3 years old, neutered and housebroken," Stanley said. "He's a great dog. It's a very active breed. They need daily walks or runs, but he is a great dog." People can call the dog warden's office at 419-627-7607 or stop by its office during normal operational hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10-10:30 a.m. on weekends.