Firefighters rescue dog swept downstream in Russian River

Firefighters have been known to save cats stuck in trees, but the Russian River Fire District on Saturday rescued a dog from the river.

Dispatchers said the fire department was called about 6 p.m. when a visitor in Guerneville reported his dog had gone into the water and was swept downstream.

The river was running strong, swollen by heavy spring rains.

Firefighters launched a rescue boat and found the dog downstream, soaked but alive. It was returned to its anxious owner.

- Steve Hart