Paws for Alarm: Firefighters Rescue Poodle With Paw Stuck in Drain

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Firefighters Rescue Poodle With Paw Stuck in Drain

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Aug 23, 2014, 5:55 PM ET

A poodle was freed with the help of Albuquerque firefighters after one of its paws got stuck in a bathtub drain for several hours.

Twelve-year-old Selene Ortega told KRQE-TV that she was giving her dog, Morita, a bath Friday at her northeast Albuquerque home when the poodle started screaming.

Ortega says she and her family called their veterinarian, a plumber and then 911.

A 911 dispatcher contacted Albuquerque Animal Welfare. The agency ended up calling the fire department.

Firefighters tried to use lotion and shampoo to get Morita's paw out. They eventually cut open the bathtub.

Morita, drain and all, was taken to a vet, who successfully removed it.

Other than some swelling, the dog will recover.

Animal Welfare officials say pet owners should use drain covers.