Marin Humane Society saves 12 year old dog from suffocating in Corte Madera wetlands

Golden retriever named "Scarlett" immobilized in chest-deep mud

(NOVATO, CALIF. , May 13, 2009) — A golden retriever named Scarlett remained stuck chest-deep in mud for nearly an hour this morning until she was rescued by Corporal Dave Stapp of the Marin Humane Society. The 12-year-old dog became immobilized about 20 feet from shore in muddy wetlands off Redwood Highway in Corte Madera.

Officer Stapp responded to a call from Twin Cities police at 10:50am. Unable to wade through the mud, Stapp created a makeshift path using an animal stretcher and cat cages to displace his weight. At one point, Staff lost his balance and fell into the mud more than waist-high.

“Anytime you are dealing with Bay mud, there is a high risk,” says Officer Stapp. “Oftentimes the more you struggle, the further you sink. By the time I reached Scarlett, she was absolutely exhausted and unable to move more than a few inches. It took me about half an hour to guide her onto the stretcher and lead her back to shore.”

Once safety returned to her owner, a mud-soaked Stapp was hosed off by the Larkspur Fire Department.

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