Firefighters in Colorado Springs recently responded to a call that turned out to be far from what they expected. The rescue team, led by Fire Captain Brian Vaughan, received a report about what was believed to be eight Labrador puppies trapped in a drain. The concerned caller had assumed that the tiny black pups had been abandoned in the storm drain, prompting the urgent response from the fire brigade.
Upon arrival, the team worked quickly to save the animals, carefully pulling them out of the drain within 20 minutes. The pups were then taken to the local Humane Rescue Organization for further care. It was only at this point that a veterinarian made a surprising discovery: these were not Labrador puppies at all—they were red foxes.
Foxes are common in the area surrounding the Rocky Mountains, where this incident occurred. According to Travis Sauder, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Manager, it’s not unusual for wildlife to be mistakenly identified, especially during the spring months when animals are birthing their young in secluded places like storm drains or other hidden dens. The plan was to return the fox cubs to the location where they were found, hoping their mother would return to care for them. If the mother did not return, the cubs would be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center.
This event highlights the importance of involving wildlife experts when encountering animals in distress, as well-meaning actions can sometimes disrupt wildlife even more. Similar cases have occurred, such as people mistaking wild animals like squirrels or rats for domestic pets. Fortunately, the firefighters in this case handled the situation carefully, ensuring that the fox cubs were safe and could be returned to their natural environment.
These firefighters in rescued what they thought were puppies from a storm drain… but it turns out they're red foxes!
What to do now?
Reporter @AbeytaCBS4 shares the story: https://t.co/ubpMJjjj8h
(📹: Colorado Springs Fire Department) pic.twitter.com/Mksg0A0IJH— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) March 16, 2018
For future cases like this, it’s essential to consult wildlife authorities before attempting a rescue. Misunderstandings, like in this case, can happen, but with the right precautions, wild animals can be helped without harm.