Dog Almost Dies In Abandoned Water Tank Before Worland Firefighters Rescue Her

A dog found injured and starving in a holding tank in Worland is finding her footing again. She’s still recovering, and the best remedy is the love and attention she desparately wants.

Holly Getzfreid, the founder of Wyoming Pit Bull Post Rescue, has cared for Libby — short for Liberty — since the Worland Volunteer Rescue Fire Department pulled her out of an old water treatment holding tank Thursday. Libby was in poor shape when Getzfreid took her in but is making huge improvements.

“She’s still being monitored, and we started her full day on pain meds on Friday, so hopefully she is a bit more comfortable,” Getzfreid told Cowboy State Daily. “She just wants to be with us, being petted and loved.”

Alone And Hurt

Libby was found at the bottom of an abandoned water treatment holding tank. With sheer concrete walls and no ramps or ladders, there was no way for the unfortunate pooch to escape.

Getzfreid said she thinks the dog had been trapped there for several days and might have died at the bottom of the hole if not for some city of Worland employees spotting her there and calling Worland Fire Protection District 1.

“She was about 24 feet down in the tank, so we lowered a ladder to get to her,” Getzfreid said. “The tanks are fenced off, so I don’t know how she got in there.”

Getzfreid described Libby’s condition as “dehydrated and starving.” She also had an injury on one of her back legs, so Getzfreid and the other firefighters hauled her up the ladder to safety.

“She was very friendly and a bit scared, but I believe she was down there long enough and was happy to finally see people,” she said. “I think she knew she was being saved.”

Home Where A Heart Is

As of Monday, Libby is still recovering at Wyoming Pit Bull Post Rescue. Getzfreid said her feedings are still being monitored to ensure she recovers safely.

“We didn’t want to cause more damage by her overeating and getting sick,” she said. “That would cause more dehydration.”

Libby is between 3 and 4 years old, and her owner hasn’t been found yet, if she ever had one. Getzfreid encourages Libby’s owner to contact her directly so they can get her back home.

However, given the dog’s gentle temperament, Getzfreid isn’t worried about Libby finding a good home and loving family. There has already been a lot of interest from people wanting to adopt her, but there’s still hope an owner will emerge and reclaim her.

“We’re holding out hope that the owner hasn’t seen the social media posts yet,” she said. “If no one claims her, she will be fully vetted and up for adoption. She’s super sweet.”

A Great Group Of People

Getzfreid, a volunteer firefighter herself, praised her colleagues for their efficiency in finding and rescuing Libby from what could have been an agonizing death in the old water tank.

“My fellow firefighters are pretty awesome at what they do\ for humans and animals that find themselves in need,” she said. “And without the city employees, no one would have known she was down there. They were all amazing.”

Getfreid referred to another incident in which her colleagues had to use a ladder truck to rescue a dog stuck in a tree. The dog got stuck 20 feet up after chasing a squirrel.

“I wasn’t part of that rescue, but that just happened to be a rescue dog adopted from us,” she said. “I am very proud to be a part of such a great group of people.”

Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.