Firefighters rescue stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California

OXNARD, Calif. -- Heartwarming footage captured the moment a downcast dog was rescued from a flood channel in Ventura County, California, on Tuesday, October 14.

Firefighters from Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) and Oxnard Fire Department were called to the scene to assist Ventura County Animal Services after the three-year-old dog found itself stranded on a small collection of reeds and debris, "surrounded by rising, fast-moving water and steep channel walls."

The dog, believed to be a female pug or French bulldog mix, was freed after firefighters extended a 35-foot ground ladder which allowed a member of VCFD's Swift Water Rescue Team to climb down and bring the sodden animal to safety.

Ventura County Animal Services said the unharmed dog was transported to the Camarillo Shelter "where she received a vet exam and a warm kennel."

A search for the dog's owner was launched as she was not wearing an ID tag and had not been microchipped.