Firefighters Rescue 85-Pound Dog Trapped in Storm Pipe

When a powerful winter storm dumped up to 30 inches of snow across New York's Hudson Valley, firefighters and highway crews didn't just clear roads. They saved a life stuck underground.

Aria, an 85-pound husky, found herself trapped inside a culvert pipe during the height of Sunday and Monday's blizzard in LaGrange, New York. The pipe, designed to channel water under roads without disrupting traffic, became a frightening prison for the lost dog as snow piled high above.

LaGrange Professional Firefighters and the Town of LaGrange Highway Department got the call during one of the busiest emergency periods of the year. New York State had declared a state of emergency, with several counties issuing travel bans as accidents and dangerous conditions multiplied.

But the teams didn't hesitate. Working side by side in brutal winter conditions, they spent hours carefully planning and executing the rescue operation.

The challenge wasn't simple. Culvert pipes are narrow, dark spaces that can fill with water and debris during storms. Reaching Aria required patience, specialized equipment, and the kind of determination that defines great first responders.

Sunny's Take

What makes this rescue shine isn't just the happy ending. It's watching people who were already stretched thin during an emergency still find time to help one scared animal.

The LaGrange firefighters shared the story on their Facebook page, emphasizing teamwork as the real hero of the day. The community responded with nearly 1,000 likes and more than 50 grateful comments celebrating the rescue.

News12 confirmed that after hours of careful work, Aria emerged without a single injury. Her family got to hold her again, safe and sound, thanks to neighbors who refused to give up.

The story spread across the Hudson Valley as residents continued digging out from record snowfall. While some areas struggled with where to pile mountains of white powder, LaGrange had something warmer to talk about.

These first responders could have decided one dog wasn't worth the risk during a state of emergency. Instead, they showed that every life matters, even when buried under 30 inches of snow.