German Shepherd Dangling From Auto Shop Window Rescued In RivCo

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — A German Shepherd spotted dangling from a small bathroom window at a Jurupa Valley business Wednesday morning was getting veterinary care for his injuries after two Riverside County Animal Services officers rescued him.

The incident was reported around 7 a.m. by an employee at All Car Auto Repair, 8766 Limonite Court, where the dog lived.

Riverside County Animal Services Cmdr. Chris Mayer and Sgt. Kyle Stephens responded to the call and surmised that the big pooch tried to jump through the window but got stuck in the process.

"The officers arrived and discovered the dog dangling from a window of a bathroom," John Welsh, spokesman for Animal Services, explained. "It was unclear exactly what caused the dog to try to leap through the window. The employee told the officers that the dog must have accidentally locked himself in the bathroom and tried to escape through the window."

Mayer and Stephens managed to get the German Shepherd down by removing an ornamental iron frame, but they couldn't get the window frame off the pooch.

"The dog had simply wedged himself in too tight," Welsh continued.

With the frame still attached, the officers brought the dog to nearby Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, with a plan to carefully get him unstuck using a power saw.

But by the time they arrived, the animal managed to wiggle out of the frame on his own. He was receiving veterinary care and being checked for internal injuries.

The officers said the pooch was incredibly good-natured and wasn't a vicious attack dog brought on to protect the business. The dog owner lives at the shop, and the pooch was discovered to be neutered and licensed "and beloved by the employees there. He is a very sweet dog,” Mayer explained.

Healthy Pet Zone funds are being used to offset the costs of veterinary care and X-rays, Welsh said. The HPZ assists pet owners in need with various programs, including drive-through food pantries and in other ways, such as vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries, etc.

“This was an unfortunate incident, but the pet owner is someone we appreciate for their responsibility,” said Riverside County Animal Services Director Julie Bank. “The dog was neutered, currently vaccinated for rabies, licensed — and microchipped. An owner such as this is exactly the type we applaud. Using the Healthy Pet Zone fund for this response just makes a lot of sense.”