Nick McWilliams reporting – The Arrowhead Joint Fire District and the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office rescued three kittens from the Tuscarawas River Friday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office contacted the fire department after deputies located a box of kittens thrown off the St. Clairsville Bridge in Port Washington, asking for help bringing the felines to shore.
Firefighters assessed the water and determined it was safe for entry with proper equipment and staff, and the rescue attempt would prevent bystanders from attempting to enter the water.
Firefighters, with an assist from deputies and humane officers, were able to retrieve two kittens still inside the box, before finding a third on an ice flow down river.
All animals were turned over to the humane society for evaluation and treatment.
The incident took roughly three hours to clear.
Chief Steven Wright reminds all residents to never go onto ice flows for animal rescues, and pointed out that soon after the felines were brought in to safety, the ice flow they were stuck on broke apart.
Always contact trained professionals for any water rescue situations.
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