Deputies rescue puppy dubbed 'Poncho' from storm drain

Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

A 3-month-old puppy was rescued from a storm drain Tuesday in Riverview by two Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies.

Deputy Tara Quezada said she was flagged down by residents who told her a puppy fell into the storm drain that was filled with water. Quezada called her partner to help.

Deputy Zachary Shute brought tools and the deputies removed the drain cover.

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The puppy, who they named “Poncho,” was deep inside the storm drain and out of reach, deputies said.

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That’s when Shute said he had a plan. Shute used Quezada’s duty belt to lower her head-first into the storm drain. Quezada said she used a net to scoop up Poncho.

Deputies said they were unable to find her owners, so Poncho the puppy was taken to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center.

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