Photo: MSO Cody Grahn and Punch
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Service Officer Cody Grahn was cruising his Marine Patrol boat along the Willamette River early Saturday afternoon (Aug. 21, 2010) when he made an unusual and happy discovery. MSO Grahn said, "At first sight, I thought it was possibly a beaver splashing around in the middle of the river. But as I approached closer, I was amazed to see this was actually a dog -- totally exhausted and in serious trouble. What also concerned me was how rapidly the dog and I were approaching Willamette Falls -- we were about one-eighth of a mile from the top of the falls."
Grahn was able to hoist the grateful dog into the Marine Patrol boat and locate the owner of the dog with relative ease.
This 8-year-old female chocolate Lab, named "Punch," was properly equipped with a dog collar and licensing readily affixed. This enabled the swift return of the dog to her owner in West Linn. The owner of Punch was soon reunited with the dog at the family residence -- locatedabout 500 yards upstream from where Punch was rescued from the middle of the river.
But that's not the end of this story....
About one hour after Punch's safe return to his loving home, Marine Deputy Morgan Guthner was patrolling the same area on the river -- and saw that Punch now riding in a ski boat with strangers.
Deputy Guthner inquired, and learned that the dog had made her way out in the middle of the river -- again -- and had been picked-up by a boat full of water-skiers for the animal's safety. With heavy boat traffic on the river, these conscientious boaters were concerned the animal would be struck by a motorboat while swimming in the river.
Punch was once again returned to her rightful owners by Deputies -- who thoughtfully discussed the hazards and laws surrounding a dog running at large with the owners.
It seems Punch just loves the water. However, thanks to this warning, the owner now recognizes that Punch will require enhanced supervision in the future, so as not to end up "in over her head" literally and legally.
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Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office