A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) K-9 is recovering after a rattlesnake bit him while on duty Friday, but it is the life-saving efforts that have people talking.
“Boo was out there doing his job, tracking a group that crossed illegally, and unfortunately, he got bit by a rattlesnake,” said U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent Esteffany Solano.
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WATCH HEREWhen his handler noticed Boo’s behavior declining, an agent radioed air and marine operations to airlift Boo from Otay Mountain wilderness to an animal hospital in La Mesa.
“We saw a helicopter come up in the sky and basically just hovering down, and we were kind of perplexed by it, so we followed it and it landed over the street over there,” Tyler Oder, who works at a nearby shopping center said.
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SIGN UP Traffic came to a full stop on Jackson Drive and Grossmont Boulevard as CBP conducted the rescue operation.
“I just saw the helicopter drop briefly, guy run out with the dog in his hands — it was a German Shepherd —started running at us,” Oder said. “Traffic was halted, north, south, east and west."
One driver jumped out of her car and captured the moment the dog was taken out of the helicopter and rushed to get care.
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“The dog was panting," Oder said. "It was kind of sad too.”
Solano said two-year-old dog received antivenin and is recovering.
“He is stable," Solano said. "Hopefully, he’ll be with us working soon."
Solano said Boo’s handler is grateful for all the support they’ve received from the community.
“Our K-9’s are very special to us, so we’re very proud, very happy, that San Diego was able to support and be concerned about our agent,” Solano said.
Boo has been working with his handler for two years.
