Heroes use blow-up toys to rescue drowning pooch

IT was a rescue in all the traditional senses of the word — brave, daring and selfless — but it was also a tad non-traditional, it must be said. SEE THE INCREDIBLE PICTURES, VIDEO

IT was a rescue in all the traditional senses of the word — brave, caring and selfless — but it was also a tad non-traditional, it must be said.

It was non-traditional in a sort of Territory style, because it relied heavily on a large croc and a thong, both of the blow-up variety.

Two men bravely plunged into a weed-infested lake in Palmerston with the Territory-typical pool toys to save an exhausted pooch on the brink of drowning.

Long haired border collie, Jaxon, , was spooked by a storm causing him to flee his Gunn home. Durack resident Laura Julian spotted the petrified pup struggling in the Durack lake from her kitchen window.

“My husband ran in but it was deep and the weeds were too thick for him to actually get into the middle,” Ms Julian said.

Two men bravely dived into a weed ridden lake in Palmerston with a blow up croc and thong to save an exhausted pooch, Jaxon, from drowning. Picture: Supplied.

“People watching on saw and came and helped – we went back to our house and grabbed the blow-up croc and thong and Chris (husband) and Daniel (bystander) went into the lake and got the dog.”

Ms Julian said it was only a matter of time before Jaxon would have drowned. “Luckily they got him in time,” she said.

Aaaaand they’ve got him. Picture: Supplied.

Once Jaxon reached solid ground, the family rang the number on his collar. Jaxon’s owner, and Gunn local, Leya Cowley said he had a history of being spooked by storms and escaping.

“I was surprised when they called because that meant he broke out of our house,” Ms Cowley said.

“It looks like he busted the glass sliding door open – I would have thought being locked inside the house he would be safe, but obviously not.”

The incident has raised concerns among locals, questioning if a dog could almost drown in the lake then “a kid most certainly could”.

Hero dads Daniel Jipp and Chris Julian rescued Jax the Border Collie from a weed infested lake in Durack with a blow up thong and croc. Picture: Glenn Campbell

City of Palmerston chief executive Luccio Cercarelli said an extensive Lakes Management Plan had been implemented which included the management of the weed salvinia.

“Managing the ecology of these lakes with such an invasive weed is tremendously difficult, but the Council is committed to reducing the spread through its intensive management program,” Mr Cercarelli said.

He said the Council was currently operating its weed harvester and had purchased a second machine which will help speed up the process.

“Council is relieved the dog was uninjured and will continue to work with the community to ensure everyone remains safe around our lakes,’ he said.

Ms Cowley said she did not realise the gravity of the situation until she saw the video of the rescue.

“Then it really sunk in what they had done for him (Jaxon),” she said.

“Thank you – you’re absolute legends if it wasn’t for you he would be dead.”