Firefighters Brave Frigid Temperatures To Save Dog Trapped In Storm Drain | Weather.com
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Colorado Springs crews worked together during the bitterly cold rescue operation.

Chris DeWeese
ByChris DeWeeseJanuary 27, 2026
Dog rescued from storm drain in snow

(Colorado Springs Fire Department )

Bitterly cold conditions didn't stop first responders in Colorado from mounting a successful rescue mission to save a dog trapped in a storm drain Friday evening.

Emergency crews from the Colorado Springs Fire Department worked alongside Animal Law Enforcement officers during the challenging nighttime operation as temperatures plummeted across the region, reaching a low of two degrees below zero in Colorado Springs.

The canine had somehow ended up in the drainage system during what officials described as a "freezing night," conditions that made the rescue both urgent and dangerous.

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Dog rescued from storm drain in snow

(Colorado Springs Fire Department )

Fire department personnel descended into the storm drain to reach the stranded animal. Understanding the extreme cold posed an immediate threat to the dog's well-being, responders acted quickly to prevent hypothermia.

To combat the frigid temperatures during the extraction, rescue workers wrapped the shivering dog in a wildland firefighting shirt, providing crucial warmth as they brought the animal to safety.

The successful rescue concluded with Animal Law Enforcement taking custody of the dog, ensuring continued care and shelter from the dangerous cold snap affecting the Colorado Springs area.

Dog rescued from storm drain in snow

(Colorado Springs Fire Department )

In a positive development, authorities later confirmed they had located the dog's owner, bringing the weather-related rescue story to a happy ending.

"Nobody gets left out in the cold on our watch," fire officials posted to social media after the successful rescue, highlighting their commitment to all rescue operations, regardless of the weather.

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.

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