Max & His Owner Reunited After Being Stuck In A Riverside Canal

Max, A 5-year-old German shepherd mix that found himself stuck in the Gage Canal earlier this afternoon, and his owner, Nestor Montes of Riverside. They were reunited at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.

VIDEO ABOVE: Max the dog getting weighed on our scale in receiving (he was a bit more than 100 pounds …a big boy) and the officer (Animal Control Officer Dylan Gates) sharing a few words about what he came across when he first arrived at the canal where the dog was located.

We received a call shortly after 2 p.m. Some good Samaritans were trying to assist the dog. They placed a pallet along the steep bank, near the dog, so he might use it as a step ladder. But he was too nervous, it seemed, to get near the makeshift ladder. They also lassoed the dog to make sure he wouldn't drown. He was very nervous and growled a bit.

The dog was in a portion of the canal near Bradley and Grace streets, about a couple miles south of Highway 91.

Riverside County Animal Services Officer Dylan Gates arrived and within moments got the dog out by using his control stick. "I could tell he seemed a bit distressed," Officer Gates said.

In the early-morning hours, thunder was very prevalent in the Riverside area. Chances are the dog got so scared he bolted from his home, Gates said.

Officer Tiffany Fuller with Riverside County Animal Services borrowed some cooking oil from the dog owner and she, with the owners, managed to safely wiggle the dog free without causing injury. All told it took about 30 minutes for the extraction.

"When I arrived, she was super sweet - but crying," Fuller said. "I told the owners to pull the bars toward them as I moved her hips slowly through, "She ran up to me when she was free and leaned into me. It was very rewarding."

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