Calling the Richmond fire department was the last thing a dog owner expected to do when she and her family took their dogs to an off-leash Richmond park.
But that’s what Diyyinah Jamora and her family had to do, calling Richmond Fire-Rescue after their Pomeranian-husky dog Juno got stuck in a thorny bush at Richmond’s Tait Waterfront Park on May 28.
Jamora said Juno and her brother’s dog had caught sight of a rabbit and chased it into the bush. She added they were running in and out of the bush until Juno suddenly disappeared.
“My mom was the first one to realize … and I thought that if we just called him or like walked away he would come follow us because that’s what he normally does,” said Jamora.
“But then we heard some rustling and panting between these thick, thorny bushes and realized Juno was stuck.”
Despite her father, boyfriend and another couple that was nearby trying to get to Juno, the only result was cuts on their arms and pants from the thorns.
That’s when Richmond Fire-Rescue was called in.
Jamora told the Richmond News that one of the firefighters had to wear their gear to enter the bushes because of the sharp thorns.
“I was super relieved to see the firefighter carrying him and bringing him out because, without their help, there was no way we could have done it on our own,” said Jamora.
“They were super understanding and reassuring even though we were super stressed and worried, so it was definitely comforting.”
Juno, she added, had been cut by some of the thorns, but was generally unharmed and looked happy being carried out.
“He loves running around and going off leash ... Now I’m a little more hesitant because of (this) incident.
“But I just really want to say thank you to the firefighters and the couple properly for helping Juno out.”
Meanwhile, Jamora is considering reaching out to the City of Richmond to suggest fencing be placed along the bushes and in the park area.
“I would hate for someone (else) to also lose their dogs in those bushes,” she said.
