Dog rescued from LA River in Burbank

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- Los Angeles firefighters rescued a dog swept into the Los Angeles River in Burbank on Friday afternoon.

A firefighter was lowered from a helicopter into the river near the Cahuenga Pass. He swam towards the Corgi/Chihuahua mix, and caught it in his arms, before lifting it to safety.

Shortly after, firefighters could be seen drying off the dog on the bank of the river.

"As we were watching the dog one of the worst things was we kept seeing the dog submerge and then he'd pop back up. Each time he submerged we were worried he may not come up again," LAFD Capt. Scott Bowman said.

A park ranger took the 7-year-old dog to North Central Animal Shelter in Lincoln Heights. Authorities believe the dog has an owner, as it had a collar and leash. The dog, however, did not have a tag or microchip.

"Any life is precious and I know there is an owner out there that is absolutely totally distraught their dog is missing," said John Terrusa, who rescued the dog.