Arabia, German shepherd

Lost dog, found fallen through thin ice, is reunited with Springfield family
By Patrick Johnson, Republican staff
December 23, 2009, 6:46PM

Arabia the German Shephard is shown with her owners and the two Springfield police officers who rescued her. From left to right are Det. James L. McCoy, Sharayvia A. Ayala, 17, her mother Erica M. Williams, and Lt. Kevin R. Wood.

SPRINGFIELD – Arabia is going home for the holidays.

The 16-month old German Shepherd, rescued early Tuesday by Springfield police after she was found fallen through the ice on Watershops Pond, was reunited with her family Wednesday afternoon at the T.J. O’Connor Animal Shelter.

Erica M. Williams of 34 Rochelle St. claimed Arabia at the T.J. O’Connor Animal Shelter, concluding a hectic 36 hours for the family that lost its dog and a dog that lost its way home.

“It’s OK as long as we got her for the holiday,” Williams said.

She said they last saw Arabia after they let her out in the back yard late Monday night. The yard is fenced in, but Arabia must have pushed the gate open or figured out how to unlock it with her nose, Williams said.

They just moved into the house earlier this week, she said.

When she discovered Arabia was missing, it set off a frantic search of the neighborhood that was unsuccessful, she said.

She said she didn’t know until later the dog had been rescued from the ice on Watershops Pond near Alden and Middlesex streets. Police spotted the dog trapped in the water about 40 yards off shore at about 1 a.m. Arabia was rescued by Lt. Kevin Wood and off-duty detective James L. McCoy.

McCoy, who lives near the pond, saw the commotion and went home to get his pontoon boat that was used by he and Wood to rescue the dog. Both officers were on hand for the reunion. A grateful Williams called them “My super cops.”

Woods said “I’m glad she’s going back to her owner. That’s great.”

It cost Williams $500 to retrieve the dog, mostly because she had no proof that the dog was properly registered or was current with its rabies and distemper vaccinations.

“We could not be happier for Arabia and her family, but it’s a very valuable lesson to be learned,” said Pam Peebles, executive director of the T.J. O’Connor facility said “People should have their pets micro-chipped, be vaccinated and licensed, and have identification on the animal at all times.”

Source: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/lost_dog_found_trapped_on_thin.html
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