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Husky stranded on window ledge rescued by fire crew armed with dog treats

The puppy was standing precariously on a first-floor window ledge after the window was believed to have been left ajar.

Sarah Ping
Thursday 19 October 2023 16:11 BST
Fire services attended a house in Tottenham to save a husky that made its way onto a window ledge (London Fire Brigade)
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 service after they noticed the young puppy named Coco 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 Coco safely back to 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 Michael climbed the ladder with dog treats, provided by neighbours, to help bring the husky down.

Mr Poullais said: “(Mr Michael) 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 from Tottenham Fire Station by 11.12pm.

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.”

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