A rescue operation unfolded on September 9th at a HDB block in Hougang. A helpless pet dog found itself trapped on a perilous 14th-storey ledge, teetering on the edge of danger.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, the dog ended up being rescued and brought back to safety.
A Terrifying Perch
The drama unfolded at Block 928 Hougang Street 91 in the afternoon of September 9th. A concerned resident first spotted the dog precariously crawling around on the metal ledge at the 13th storey of the HDB block.
It remains a mystery as to how the dog ended up on this treacherous perch, but what soon emerged was that it belonged to a resident residing on the 15th floor.
With each passing moment, the tension in the air grew thicker. Members of the public, alarmed by the dog’s plight, quickly alerted the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
The SPCA, in coordination with the police and personnel from the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), swiftly sprang into action.
The police took immediate steps to contact the dog’s owner, urging them to rush to the scene. In just 30 anxious minutes, the owner arrived, their heart undoubtedly in their throat.
Safety Measures and Support
While the rescue operation was underway, safety remained paramount. Safety nets and mattresses were strategically deployed as a contingency plan should the dog slip and fall from its precarious position.
A safety net was carefully installed between the 13th and 15th storey, with another net positioned at ground level.
In a move that underscored the gravity of the situation, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was summoned to provide support. The elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) was also activated, and SCDF personnel arrived on the scene, making it a multi-agency rescue operation.
The Tense Rescue
DART officers broke into the 14th-storey unit, the final hurdle separating the dog from safety and the dog’s owner then reached out to the animal through the window before securing a leash on the doggo’s body, before grabbing it and bringing it back into safety.
This nerve-wracking operation lasted approximately four hours, but the outcome was nothing short of spectacular. The rescued dog was safely returned to its owner’s loving arms, and a collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd of onlookers.
The SCDF confirmed that they received the call for assistance on September 9th, around 4:55 pm. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.