Puppy rescue highlights busy day for High Springs firefighters

Press release from High Springs Fire Department

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – What began as a routine Monday quickly became a day of challenges and triumphs for the High Springs Fire Department, culminating in the heartwarming rescue of a puppy trapped in a 40-foot sinkhole.

At 1:37 p.m. on Monday, December 9, firefighters from High Springs, Alachua County Fire Rescue, and Newberry Fire Department were dispatched to the Springstead neighborhood near NW 142nd Avenue. A reported brush fire, driven by gusty southwesterly winds, threatened nearby homes. Crews arrived at 1:45 p.m. to find flames from a prescribed burn had spread beyond control, igniting several spot fires on adjacent land. Working swiftly, firefighters extinguished the rogue fires, ensuring no homes were damaged and no injuries occurred.

As firefighters controlled the brush fire, a second urgent call came in at 3:12 p.m. — a puppy had fallen into a sinkhole. Responding immediately, one High Springs crew diverted to the rescue while the rest remained on the scene to monitor the fire.

Equipped with specialized rescue gear aboard HSFD’s newly-deployed “light rescue” truck, firefighters descended into the 40-foot sinkhole to reach the frightened but unharmed puppy. Within 12 minutes, they successfully brought the puppy safely to the surface, demonstrating skill and compassion.

Click here for a video of the final part of the puppy rescue

This incident marked the first response of HSFD’s new Light Rescue truck, which had gone into service only hours earlier. The department thanks City Manager Jeremy Marshall, the High Springs City Commission, and the truck committee for making this vital acquisition possible. The truck’s deployment allowed another successful rescue, underscoring its importance in the department’s operations.